The Bloc Québécois, which has always maintained it would not be a permanent fixture in Ottawa, appeared to cement its hold on Quebec as it led in the majority of the province’s ridings last night.

The sovereigntist party — which made its gains by focusing on traditional election issues and not Quebec independence — defied pundits who only scant months ago were writing its political obituary.

Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe was elected to the Commons for a seventh consecutive term, winning his Montreal riding of Laurier-Sainte-Marie in a landslide.

In early returns, the Bloc had 10 elected members and was leading in 31 other ridings. The Liberals had two elected and were ahead in 16 other ridings.

The Tories had two elected members, including Maxime Bernier, and were ahead in nine other ridings.

Independent MP Andre Arthur appeared headed for re-election in Portneuf-Jacques-Cartier.
The Bloc clobbered Conservative hopes of grabbing a significant chunk of Quebec political real estate, a feat last accomplished in 1988 when Brian Mulroney was prime minister.

In early returns, Conservative International Trade Minister Michael Fortier was trailing in his riding where the Bloc incumbent had double his vote count.