It came down to 68 votes.

In one of the tightest races in Canada and certainly in B.C., Dr. Keith Martin held on to Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca for the Liberals by a bare margin, earning a sixth term as MP.

With all 225 polls reporting at 11 p.m. Tuesday night, Martin had 34.1 per cent to Conservative challenger Troy DeSouza’s 34 per cent – 20,042 votes to 19,974 respectively.

Despite early assertions the results would go to a judicial recount, it's unclear if that will happen. The 68 vote gap is slightly greater than the margin necessary for an automatic recount.

"Although we might say this was a wee bit closer than we thought, we managed to prevail," Martin said. "If I said relieved, would you believe me?"

At Martin’s campaign party at the Royal Colwood Golf Club and DeSouza’s party at the Station House Pub in Langford, supporters veered between jubilation and silence as poll numbers trickled in. DeSouza took an early lead as votes were tallied in Colwood, but by 10 p.m. Martin eked ahead by a few hundred votes and held on.

Nationally, the Conservatives came out ahead with 143 seats, up from 127 when the election was called. The NDP also came out ahead with 37 seats, up from 30. The Greens failed to win a seat, while the Liberals were battered at the polls, winning 76 seats, down from 95.

Another Conservative minority government was no surprise to Martin. The votes prove that the Liberal party needs to do some work to better connect with citizens, he said. That means finding a stronger Internet presence and encouraging more public debate opportunities.

"The Liberal party needs to engage with significant structural reform. We are going to revamp and modernize the party so it is more connected to Canadians," he said.

All of the parties need to work on enhancing the level of debate on the Hill, he said, noting there is too much bickering among members.

"The fact of the matter is Parliament is a poisoned environment. It's an affront to Canadians. It's maddening to those of us as MPs," he said. "Parliament has become a cesspool of vapid partisanship.

"Of all the things one is privileged to do (as a MP), saving lives and relieving suffering has to be on of the best things you can do," he said.

DeSouza, who came in third behind the NDP in the 2006 federal election, campaigned on a vow to secure federal funding for an overpass at McKenzie Avenue and the Trans-Canada Highway to help alleviate traffic congestion. On social policy, he differentiated himself from the other candidates by opposing injection sites for drug addicts.

“We were in third place when we started and we came within spitting distance,” DeSouza said to tired but boisterous supporters. “It’s not over ‘till it’s over.”

The numbers prove people in Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca are looking for change, DeSouza said. The McKenzie overpass and traffic issues resonated with the thousands of people across the riding, he said.

“We’ve got a minority government and we don’t know how long that will last,” DeSouza said. “But the road to a majority government begins in Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca.”

NDP candidate Jennifer Burgis came in third with 13,322 votes or 22 per cent.

“I want you to feel really proud,” she said to her supporters. “Look what Canada said about Jack layton and his leadership.”

Burgis would not comment on whether or not she would run again.

“I never stop being political,” Burgis said. “ I have deep roots in the south Island and many, many friends.”

--- with files from Amy Dove, Edward Hill and Charla Huber