Canada’s Liberal Party loses the majority in close election

TORONTO – Prime Minister Paul Martin’s Liberal Party lost its absolute majority in Parliament in nationwide voting on Monday, but still outdistanced its rivals and appeared likely to hold on to power by forming the nation’s first minority government in 25 years.

Projections by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., based on partial returns, showed that the Liberals, who have held the government for 11 years, were ahead, winning 137 seats in Parliament, short of the 155 needed to retain a majority.

But the Conservative Party, led by Stephen Harper, which expected a boost at the polls because of anger over a government financial scandal, was unable to gain as many seats as it hoped.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Nearly complete returns showed the Conservatives winning 93 seats in the new Parliament. The Bloc Quebecois party was projected to win 55 seats and the New Democratic Party 22 seats. The Liberals would have to form an alliance with a smaller party to form a new government.

It appeared Monday night that the Liberals would attempt to form a coalition with the New Democratic Party.

Martin, who was widely seen as running a botched campaign in his effort win a fourth consecutive term for the ruling Liberals, voted in Quebec. He returned home Monday morning after flying across the country, attempting to rally voters to remain with his party. He charged that Harper, his main rival, had a hidden agenda to stop same-sex marriage, change abortion laws and privatize Canada’s free public health care system.

Harper, who advocates cutting taxes and increasing military spending, voted in Calgary, Alberta. In last-minute campaigning on Sunday in Alberta, he argued that the Liberal Party was corrupt, citing an ongoing financial scandal. He characterized Martin as “a desperate man.”

In the crucial province of Ontario, it appeared the Liberals had captured more than 60 of the 106 seats. In Quebec, Bloc Quebecois had picked up 18 seats and had an early total of 52 seats. The Liberals lost 17 seats in Quebec.

Political analysts said that in Atlantic Canada, many members of the old Progressive Conservative Party voted for the Liberals instead of for the new Conservative Party. Preston Manning, the leader of the former Reform Party, said in a televised interview: “When Atlantic Canada is worried, they go with the devil they know. When the West is worried, they tend to stir up the pot.”

Antonia Maioni, director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada at McGill University, said no party was able overcome traditional regional differences, despite projections. “Canada remains very much a regionalized country. The House of Commons will look more regionalized than ever,” Maioni said. “I think it sort of proves it is very difficult to be a national party in Canada.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Everett
Man stabbed in face outside Everett IHOP, may lose eye

Police say the suspect fled in the victim’s car, leading officers on a 6-mile chase before his arrest.

A person walks up 20th Street Southeast to look at the damage that closed the road on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WA delegation urges Trump to reconsider request for bomb cyclone aid

The Washington state congressional delegation urged President Donald Trump on… Continue reading

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

Help Washington manage European green crabs with citizen science events

Washington State University and Washington Sea Grant will hold a training at Willis Tucker Park on June 2.

Emilee Swenson pulls kids around in a wagon at HopeWorks' child care center Tomorrow’s Hope, a job training program for people interested in child care, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Everett, Washington. HopeWorks is one of the organizations reciving funding from the ARPA $4.3 million stipend. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Early learning group presents countywide survey findings

The survey highlighted the largest issues parents and providers are facing amid the county’s child care crisis.

Brian Murril, who started at Liberty Elementary as a kindergartner in 1963, looks for his yearbook photograph during an open house for the public to walk through the school before its closing on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Locals say goodbye to Marysville school after 74 years

Liberty Elementary is one of two schools the Marysville School District is closing later this year to save costs.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray speaks at a round table discussion with multiple Snohomish County agencies about the Trump administrator restricting homelessness assistance funding on Thursday, May 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sen. Murray hears from county homelessness assistance providers

In early May, Snohomish County sued the Trump administration for putting unlawful conditions on $16.7M in grant funding.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.