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Qubec solidaire, for its part, was holding its breath, hoping a narrow lead would hold so it could also take a seat away from the PQ.

Liberals managed to topple Diane De Courcy, language minister in the PQ government, and slashed the margin of victory for Jean-Franois Lise, PQ minister responsible for the Montreal region.

As of 11:50 p.m., Liberals were elected or leading in 21 of 28 seats on Montreal Island, leaving four for the PQ and three for QS.

In 2012, the Liberals took 20, the PQ, six and QS, two.

Montreal has long been a Liberal stronghold.

Premier-elect Philippe Couillards Liberals kept the PQ at bay by raising the spectre of another referendum and exploiting opposition to the PQs plan to ban public workers from wearing religious gear.

QS hoped its softer line on religious minorities and its promise to hold a referendum in a first mandate would attract disillusioned, left-leaning sovereignists who normally opt for the PQ.

Four PQ ministers were running for re-election.

De Courcy, the language hardliner who spearheaded the PQs failed bid to toughen Bill 101, lost Crmazie riding to Liberal Marie Montpetit, a health-policy adviser, by about 2,400 votes.

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Liberals paint Montreal red