Liberals win Minority Government

Liberals win Minority Government

With only 33.06 % of the popular vote, Justin Trudeau promises to “Govern for everyone.”

Emily Mailhot Reporter – Vegreville News Advertiser

True to what poll experts projected, it looks like another Liberal red year for Canada. After Election Day on October 21st, in spite of Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives winning the popular vote (34.4 percent), the Liberals won a minority government with 157 seats.

CBC News’ poll-tracker recorded the possibility of a “close call” between the Conservatives and Liberals, with an expected 32.0% (Lib) and 31.6% (Con) of the votes respectively. After pre-election polling, it was projected that the Liberals saw a 48% chance of winning a minority government, and only a 13% chance of winning the majority. In contrast, next-closest in national popularity, the Conservatives had an expected 37% chance of a minority, with a 2% chance at majority. Far behind in that gap, the Bloc Quebecois and NDP were favoured in select ridings but failed to see traction in the race. Both, however, still had enough of a chance at a minority government for their party leaders to say the race was “worthwhile,” and hope to see Canadians in the next election ready for change.

“The Conservatives are ahead in western Canada while the Liberals lead in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. The New Democrats are narrowly behind the Liberals in the third spot in western Canada. The Bloc is close behind the Liberals in Quebec. The Greens are holding doubledigit support in B.C. and Atlantic Canada. The People’s Party has been unable to make a mark during this campaign and its only realistic hope for a seat is Maxime Bernier’s.” (CBC Poll Tracker)

By the end of the night, the Liberals held 157 seats (33.06%) the Conservatives held 121 (34.4%), the Bloc Quebecois held a solid 32 seats (7.7%), the NDP held 24 seats (15.92%) the Greens held 3 seats (6.49%) and Jody Wilson Raybould won her riding as an independent. The People’s Party of Canada failed to secure a single parliament seat, even in Maxime Bernier’s riding. In the Lakeland riding, as was the case with many ridings in the prairies, Shannon Stubbs has held fast to her House of Commons seat with an overwhelming 84.05 percent of the votes. With a close call being the expected outcome on October 21, Stubbs has been prepared for any outcome and has said she will continue to represent her constituents’ needs no matter who has the majority. Stubbs was not available for a comment post-election but may follow up later.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for his part, has promised to persist with the Liberal’s climate targets, the implementation of national universal pharmacare, raising the income level for tax-exemption, and more, throughout his campaign.

Having promised to “govern for everyone,” Trudeau’s Liberals may face challenges receiving support from other parties as they try to put their electoral promises into action. Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, Canadians have cast their votes. Most of them did not choose you. And now, we will be watching closely to see how you follow through on “Working together for a Canada that is united,” as you have promised.