Some major upsets in what has been an unusual provincial election campaign.

The Liberal Party, which came under fire for calling a winter election in a pandemic, has emerged with a majority government with 22 seats.

Andrew Furey, in his victory speech at the Delta Hotel in St. John’s, acknowledged the difficulties that lie ahead.

“Today you have challenged us to live up to an expectation no other government in this province has ever faced before.” He called the Liberal candidates elected to the House of Assembly “the right team” to move the province forward.

“First family” portrait, sans masks. ⁦@VOCMNEWS⁩ pic.twitter.com/S9m5e2TOgA

— Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) March 27, 2021

The PC Party has 13 seats, with leader Ches Crosbie going down to defeat in Windsor Lake to Liberal John Hogan (Crosbie: 2154 to Hogan: 2688). That’s a major blow to the Opposition party, losing two seats from the 15 held prior to the election.

A subdued Ches Crosbie issued a pre-recorded concession speech after the results were released by Elections NL.

Crosbie thanked the voters of Windsor Lake and the party’s supporters and candidates.

He says he will take some time to decide what happens next.

In light of the outcome of the election, I will be speaking with my family, my Caucus and the executive of our Party, and I will take a few days to reflect on what has happened and determine where we go from here. #NLpoli

— Ches Crosbie (@ChesCrosbie) March 27, 2021

He also offered a message to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Let us renew our resolve to make Newfoundland and Labrador everything we are so richly capable of becoming.

In Signal Hill Quidi Vidi, another major upset, NDP leader Alison Coffin has lost her seat to Liberal John Abbott with a difference of just 53 votes (Coffin: 2394 to Abbott: 2447).

The NDP have held onto the other two seats, in St. John’s Centre and Labrador West, that’s fewer seats than are now held by Independents—Paul Lane in Mount Pearl – Southlands, Perry Trimper in Lake Melville, and Eddie Joyce in Humber – Bay of Islands.

Alison comes in to a round of applause. Starts by saying "what a fine group of candidates."

She calls this "A dark day in our history telling us we must do better" @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/wjIB9zahkG

— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) March 27, 2021

NDP leader Alison Coffin was emotional, yet defiant in her concession speech at the Alt Hotel in St. John’s.

She told supporters she was proud of the dedication, commitment, and sacrifice displayed in the campaigns by party candidates, and offered a stern warning to the powers that be.

She says Jim Dinn and Jordan Brown will continue to fight for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. She accused the Liberals of manipulating the “broken electoral system for their own political gain.”