10 takeaways from Ontario’s election night

Maclean’s watched as the Liberals won an unexpected majority

<p>Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak, right, announces next to his wife Deb Hutton that he will be stepping down as party leader after being defeated his election night campaign head quarters in Grimsby, Ont., on Thursday, June 12, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette</p>

Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak, right, announces next to his wife Deb Hutton that he will be stepping down as party leader after being defeated his election night campaign head quarters in Grimsby, Ont., on Thursday, June 12, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Ontario Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne speaks to supporters after winning the Ontario election in Toronto on Thursday June 12, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Frank Gunn/CP

Maclean’s watched as Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals won an unexpected majority.

Adrian Lee was at PC Party headquarters in Grimsby. Rachel Browne joined the New Democrats in Stoney Creek. Nick Taylor-Vaisey kept an eye on Liberal headquarters in Toronto. Political editor Paul Wells, senior editor Jason Kirby, Ottawa bureau chief John Geddes, and national correspondent Charlie Gillis chimed in as results rolled in.

Charlie recapped Wynne’s path to victory. Paul wrote about how winners get to write history. Below are 10 key takeaways from election night.

1. THE NDP FACES A HARD TRUTH

2. ON DEBATES

3. THE HARPER-WYNNE VENN DIAGRAM

4. 905 WENT RED

5. TORIES TOOK RISKS

6. HUDAK SAYS FAREWELL

7. WHO NEEDS 40%?

8. ON LESSONS LEARNED

9. PAUL MARTIN’S GUYS WON

10. WYNNE IS AN OPTIMIST