Justin Trudeau will remain as Canada’s prime minister after his Liberal Party won the most seats in Monday’s election, early media projections say, but it remains to be seen whether the party will claim an outright majority.
Canadian media projections had the Liberal Party leading in 139 of 338 seats in Canada’s House of Commons, in line with predictions from most opinion polls, reported Reuters.
The Trudeau-led Liberal Party had called the snap election off the back of popular support for the government’s response to the pandemic, hoping to win an outright majority, but as opinion polls tightened closer to election day the Liberals ultimately campaigned to keep the Conservatives out.
While the Conservatives had positioned themselves as being against lockdowns and vaccine mandates, Mr Trudeau had called on Canadians to vote in a government that “follows science”.
Read Also: Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau Takes A Knee With Protesters For Racial Justice
Conservative leader Erin O’Toole described vaccination as a personal health decision. Mr O’Toole also did not press for vaccination among the party’s candidates.
Since he first came to power in 2015, Mr Trudeau has embraced immigration even as countries like the US closed their doors to immigrants. Other policy landmarks include legalising cannabis, bringing in a carbon tax to fight climate change and fighting to preserve a free trade deal with the US and Mexico despite threats from former US president Donald Trump to call off the agreement.
The call to stage the elections two years early was made despite Mr Trudeau leading a stable minority administration — a decision criticised by the opposition as exposing the prime minister’s personal ambition.
Analysts said that even without a majority, the Liberals will be delighted with what early projections are showing.
“I think (the Liberals) are feeling vindicated… The prime minister has pulled together one of the most impressive runs of any liberal prime minister in power – three elections in a row in an amazing achievement,” said John Duffy, former adviser to federal and provincial liberals.
Trudeau has proved his political resilience with his re-election, Mr Duffy said, explaining that it had been a difficult time for the party since late August, resulting in mounting pressure for the incumbent.
Conservative analysts questioned why the early elections were held in the first place, with little expected to change in the Canadian parliament.
“I think it was to be expected. In the last couple weeks, public opinion polls certainly turned in this direction,” said Will Steward, national lead of Hill+Knowlton strategies and a conservative commentator.
Read Also: Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron And Other World Leaders Caught Gossiping About Donald Trump During Nato Summit
“Justin Trudeau called his campaign to get a majority. I don’t think he’s going to get there, which then takes us right back to where we were sort of six weeks ago,” Mr Steward said.
Trudeau’s return to power also did not send ripples across the Canadian markets because the elections were not expected to take a dramatic turn and throw out the current government. The Canadian dollar surged but not strongly, market spectators said.
Photo Credit: Getty
