Canadian Liberals Win the Election but Fall Short of Majority
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau wins the snap election by another minority. (Screenshot from the polling office)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals wins the Canadian election. But the party falls short of its goal for a decisive, majority win.
Two hours ago, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau took the stage at the Liberal party polling station to celebrate the win, accompanied by his family.
"You are sending us back to work with a clear mandate to get Canada through this pandemic and to the brighter days ahead. And that is exactly what we are ready to to", said Trudeau.
As we speak, the Liberals are leading by 158 seats in the House of Commons. They need 170 seats for a majority win. It looks like Trudeau again will have to collaborate with the other parties in government, or from the opposition. Heading into this snap election, the Liberals held 155 seats, the Conservatives held 119, the Bloc Quebecois 32, the NDP 24, and the Green Party had two.
Promises to work
"There are still votes to be counted, but what we see tonight is that millions of Canadians have chosen a progressive plan", Justin Trudeau said triumphantly.
"Some have talked about division, but that is not what I see. That is not what I have seen these past weeks across the country. I see Canadians standing together in your determination to end this pandemic. Together for real climate action."
He went on to thank the leaders of the opposition parties for being a part of the process and to promise to work for the people who did not vote for him.
Not according to plan
Trudeau called a new federal election on August 15, after nearly two years of leading a minority government, hoping to gain from the people's good will during the pandemic and win majority to govern with a majority.
Despite what Trudeau calls a win, Trudeau´s position is not secure. As the 36-day federal election campaign comes to an end with another minority government, Trudeau might have to leave office, political scientist André Lamoureux at the University of Quebec told High North News.
"If Justin Trudeau ends up with a minority government again, he could lose the post of prime minister," said Lamoureux in an earlier interview.
Warnes of a new election
As reported by CBC, conservative Leader Erin O'Toole warned disappointed party members that another snap election could be coming soon.
"In the months ahead, as Mr. Trudeau gears up for yet another election, we must continue this journey to welcome more Canadians to take another look at our party," he said in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
"We will take stock of what worked and what didn't and we will continue to put in the time, showing more Canadians that they are welcome in the Conservative Party of Canada."
