Canadians re-elect Justin Trudeau in pandemic election, but deny him a coveted majority

Parliament will be virtually unchanged, with Trudeau’s Liberals leading in 156 electorates and the opposition Conservatives leading in 121

The campaign was roiled by claims of Chinese interference and protests by activists angered by pandemic measures

4-MIN READ4-MIN

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kisses his wife Sophie Gregoire during the Liberal election night party in Montreal, Quebec. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:02am, 21 Sep 2021Updated: 10:11am, 23 Sep 2021

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will form a new government after securing the most seats in Monday’s election, but he failed in his gamble that his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic would see him rewarded with a coveted majority.

Instead, Trudeau’s Liberal Party is headed for minority status again, and is set to continue to rely on the support of the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) to hold power.

The Liberals were leading in 156 ridings, the Conservatives in 121, the Quebec-based Bloc Québécois in 32, the NDP in 27 and the Greens in two. That would leave the House of Commons virtually unchanged.

Trudeau had started the campaign last month with a clear lead in the polls, but his support shrivelled and the election evolved into a narrow race with Conservative opposition leader Erin O’Toole.

It was a campaign roiled by allegations of foreign interference by China; strident protests, including one in which Trudeau was pelted with gravel; and complaints that the early election should not even have been called during a pandemic.

Voters wait in line outside a polling station in North Vancouver, British Columbia, on Monday. Photo: Bloomberg

More than 1.2 million electors chose to vote by mail or special ballot, likely delaying the full outcome.