OTTAWA, Jan. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Canada's Conservative Party defeated the Liberals in Monday's general election. But tough times still lie ahead for the Conservatives though it has achieved a significant victory after 12 years in opposition. 

    According to the final results announced by Canada's Election Committee early on Tuesday, the Conservatives netted 124 of a total of 308 seats in the House of Commons, followed by the Liberals, 103; the Bloc Quebecois, 51; and the New Democratic Party (NDP), 29. An independent candidate was also elected to the legislative body.

Conservative Party of Canada leader Stephen Harper and his family celebrate in Calgary Jan. 23. (Reuters)

    In a speech early Tuesday, Conservative leader Stephen Harper thanked Canadians for giving him the chance to "bring changes to Canada."

    "We came together as a party and now we will govern for all Canadians," Harper told a cheering crowd in his ride in Calgary, Alberta.

    Harper, a Toronto-born economist and a former Reform MP who haspulled the Conservative Party towards the political middle, promised to clean up government and to end the "culture of entitlement" which he describes has marked successive Liberal governments.

    Promising to tackle the troubled healthcare system, cut taxes and crack down on crime, he said he will work towards building a "strong, united, independent and free Canada."

    As to foreign affairs, Harper said he will seek a constructive and cooperative alliance with all partners and friends.

    He also pledged to uphold Canada's interests while seeking to improve ties with the United States. Analysts believe that the new Canadian leader will get along better with U.S. President George W. Bush than outgoing Prime Minister Paul Martin.

    Also early on Tuesday, Martin acknowledged defeat and gracefully offered congratulations to Harper. He announced that he will step down as the Liberal leader though he continues to serve in the parliament.

Canada's Liberal Leader Paul Martin conceded early on Tuesday at the campaign headquarters in Montreal that his ruling Liberals have lost the federal election to the Conservatives. (Reuters)

    But Martin cautioned that the Liberals remain a strong political force and may stage a comeback. "Ours will be a strong opposition with more than 100 members ... There will be another chance, and there will be another time," he said.

    Describing his party's gains as a victory for "ordinary Canadians," NDP leader Jack Layton said in Toronto: "The people of Canada asked New Democrats to balance the government and Canadianshave asked New Democrats to oppose it everywhere where it should be opposed. Canadians want us to challenge and scrutinize its proposals."

    Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe said the Bloc and the Conservatives will unite to work on common issues. But he also warned that values conveyed by the rest of Canada will never take precedence over "Quebec values."

    "In the long run, to fully express its difference, Quebec must assume all of its powers as a sovereign country," the leader of the separatist party declared.

    Though the Conservatives were the biggest winner of the election, the seats it gained were far short of the 155 needed to form a majority government.

    Political analysts warned that the Conservatives have a big challenge ahead, as the 10 previous minority governments in Canada's history have never lasted longer than two years due to their inability to get bills passed.

    Unless the Conservatives are able to form a coalition with another party, another election could be on the horizon, analysts said.

    Unlike the Liberals, the Conservatives have no traditional allies in the parliament and will have to seek support from political rivals on an issue-by-issue basis. Enditem