With two of the 55 scheduled as of Tuesday night, the Conservatives had won 31 rides to replace the Liberals as the next government.

Tim Houston will be the next prime minister of the province.

Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservatives reversed the trend seen in elections to win provincial elections and form the next government.

The surprise victory puts an end to a trend that was emerging in Canada as voters rewarded parties in power since the start of the pandemic and gave them new mandates in other provincial elections held during the health crisis.

Conservative leader Pictou was elected in the riding of the East.

Celebrating his victory in New Glasgow, he said the Conservatives’ electoral victory showed the province was ready for change.

Tim Houston reaffirms his campaign commitment to invest heavily in health care.

His liberal rival and incumbent Prime Minister Ian Rankin also retained his seat in Timberley-Prospect.

He said he would continue to lead the Nova Scotia Liberals despite the party’s decisive electoral defeat.

Ian Rankin told his supporters gathered in Halifax that he “won’t change a thing” in his party’s campaign if he had to start all over again.

NDP leader Gary Burrill wins his ride to the Halifax Chebakto.

Gary Burrill was first elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in 2009.

The NDP made electoral gains with elected or leading MPs in at least 10 ridings.

The election was called on July 17, less than five months after Rankin took over as head of state after a leadership race to succeed Stephen McNeill.

The Progressive Conservatives presented a platform that leaned to the left, with a focus on reforming the health care system—a topic that eventually became one of the campaign’s key themes.

Outgoing liberals, led by 38-year-old Ian Rankin, campaigned in an attempt to capitalize on post-pandemic optimism, while preaching strict fiscal conservatism.

The NDP, which held five seats when dissolved, also made gains, increasing its number of seats with a victory in Halifax.