How did the 2011 election change the positions of the Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party in Parliament?

The 2011 federal election resulted in significant shifts for both the Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the Canadian House of Commons:

• Conservative Party: After governing with a minority for five years, the Conservatives, led by Stephen Harper, achieved a majority government. They increased their seat count from 143 to 166 and captured nearly 40 percent of the popular vote, benefiting from voter desire for stability and vote splitting among opposition parties.1
• New Democratic Party (NDP): The NDP experienced a historic breakthrough, often referred to as the "orange wave." Led by Jack Layton, the party vaulted past the Liberal Party to become the Official Opposition for the first time. They more than doubled their representation, jumping from 37 seats in 2008 to 103 seats in 2011. This success was largely driven by an unprecedented performance in Quebec, where the party captured 59 seats, effectively dismantling the traditional dominance of the Bloc Québécois in that province.21