Brian Pallister and his Progressive Conservatives are celebrating a big majority win in Manitoba, ending 17 years of New Democratic Party government rule on Tuesday.

"The only thing better than tonight in Manitoba is tomorrow," Pallister told a crowd of cheering supporters in his victory speech at Canad Inns Polo Park in Winnipeg.

"And tomorrow, all Manitobans are going to walk out into a beautiful spring morning. They're going to look up and the sky's going to be blue."

Greg Selinger, who had been premier since 2009,  announced that he is resigning as NDP leader.

"I have talked to the president of the party and I've offered my resignation," he told his supporters. "I do take responsibility for the election outcome."

• Selinger resigns as NDP leader after big loss to PCs
• Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari loses bid for seat to NDP's Wab Kinew
• INTERACTIVE | Manitoba Votes 2016 results dashboard

The PCs are currently leading or elected in at least 41 constituencies, while Selinger's NDP is leading in at least 13.

A party needs at least 29 out of a total 57 seats to form a majority government. The Tories could make history if they officially win 40 seats — something that has never happened in Manitoba's history.

The PCs swept southern and central Manitoba and are picking up a number of constituencies in the capital city.

In fact, the party is projected to be elected in some Winnipeg constituencies that were previously held by the NDP, including Kirkfield Park, Southdale, Seine River, Radisson and Riel.

• Students elect Brian Pallister's PCs to majority government in mock vote

Meanwhile, the Liberal caucus has doubled in size. Former party leader Jon Gerrard, who was the party's lone MLA before the election was called, has been re-elected in his constituency of River Heights in Winnipeg. He will be joined by Cindy Lamoureux — daughter of Winnipeg Liberal MP Kevin Lamoreux — who has been elected in Burrows.

However, they will be without current Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari, who lost to NDP star candidate Wab Kinew in the Fort Rouge constituency. She has not held a seat in the legislature since she was chosen leader in 2013.

Pallister has been elected in his constituency, while Selinger has been re-elected in his.

The Tories have not been in government in Manitoba since the Gary Filmon administration, which was in power from 1988 until 1999, when the NDP swept into power.

"It's been a long time. I can actually still remember 1999, when [the] government changed," said longtime PC MLA Myrna Driedger, who has been re-elected in Charleswood in Winnipeg.

"I can actually put myself back into that night. This has been 16 years later and I'm still feeling like I can't believe it's all really happening."

Trudeau congratulates Tories

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement late Tuesday congratulating Pallister and the PCs on their election win.

"We look forward to working with the new provincial government in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration on issues of importance to Manitobans and all Canadians," Trudeau said.

"I also extend my heartfelt thanks to Greg Selinger for his contributions to the province and the country during his time as premier, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

At dissolution of the provincial legislature, there were 35 New Democrats, 19 Progressive Conservatives and one Liberal. There were two vacant seats.

The New Democrats under leader Greg Selinger had been hoping to win a fifth majority government, but saw a sharp drop in support. (CBC)

Selinger had been campaigning on his party's record in government. The party had won four back-to-back majority governments since 1999.

Meanwhile, the Tories promised change while capitalizing on the NDP's recent infighting, which stemmed from the government's decision in 2013 to raise the provincial sales tax — something Selinger had promised not to do in the 2011 election campaign.

"There's no point in sugar-coating it — this is a heart-breaking night for New Democrats," said former NDP MLA Theresa Oswald, who challenged Selinger for the party leadership in 2015.

Polls during the campaign had put the PCs ahead of the NDP. As part of Student Vote, a mock election held to coincide with the official election on Tuesday, more than 20,000 students from schools across Manitoba voted to give Pallister a majority government.

Bokhari's Liberals had struggled to rise above obstacles and gaffes during their campaign, while the Green Party was hoping to win its first seat in the legislature.

More than 109,000 Manitobans cast ballots in advance polls, according to Elections Manitoba.