Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard congratulated Justin Trudeau on becoming Prime Minister, saying it shows Quebecers are no longer willing to be sidelined within the Canadian federation.
With the votes for the Liberals, the Conservatives and the NDP combined, more than 80 percent of Quebecers voted for a federalist party in the federal election.
He said it shows Quebec has returned to the table when it comes to making decisions about Canada.
"We are looking forward to working with the new federal government on matters of importance, including the environment and the economy," said Couillard.
"Today Quebec, more than ever, is in a position of strength."
Couillard said the youth vote, in particular, was a strong factor in federalist support.
"Look at the electoral map today. There are strong cores of support in Quebec for three federal parties," he said.
Couillard largely dismissed the Bloc Quebecois, which managed to win 10 seats in the election while its leader Gilles Duceppe once again failed to win his seat, pointing out that party's share of the popular vote dropped.
He was also critical of Parti Quebecois leader Pierre Karl Peladeau.
"Mr. Peladeau is only speaking on behalf of sovereignists. He's not speaking for all Quebecers. His only goal in life is to achieve his idea, separation from Canada. If you look at it historically we see a slow and constant decline of the movement. Why? Because particularly our youth have lost interest. They are losing interest in that project," said Couillard.
For his part, Peladeau said the widespread support for the Liberal party should not be interpreted as support for federalism, but rather a rejection of everything that Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party stand for.
"We should not believe in a decrease in the will of Quebecers to be their own people and country, but, while we exercise our electoral rights within the Canadian federation, have made a passionate and rational choice to reject the Conservative party," wrote Peladeau.
"Having campaigned with Gilles [Duceppe] and multiple candidates, and having met hundreds of citizens, my opinior is clear, and a large number of people agree with me."
The Premier believes this will mean more Quebecers engaging with the federal government, and vice versa, especially with the Prime Minister having his seat in Montreal.
"We have an obligation to promote the interests of Quebec in Ottawa, no matter which party is in power," said Couillard.
Among those interests are Quebec's desire to improve the environment, and Couillard hopes Trudeau will be more amenable to acting to reduce the effects of climate change.
Couillard has been saying that there is not enough dialogue between the provinces and Ottawa on the matter, and he now hopes Ottawa's opinions will change in advance of the United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in Paris later this year.
"We are submitting a 37.5 percent reduction by 2030 which is going to be approved, I hope, very soon. And should be -- it should be the same. There's still time between now And Paris to change the tone on that matter," said Couillard.
