While the last pre-election poll anticipated a 1% margin between the two major national parties, the final results of the Canadian elections June 28 did return Paul Martin's Liberals to power. But victory came at a price as incumbents, including cabinet ministers, lost their seat and the party's solid base was significantly eroded in the vote-rich provinces of Ontario and Quebec. For the first time in 25 years the country will be governed by a minority government.
Canada's parliamentary system means that power has to be split between a ruling party, an official opposition, and other minor parties sitting and voting in the House of Commons. There are a total of 308 districts, called ridings. It takes 155 seats for a majority, but short of this threshold, whichever party elects the most candidates forms the government. People cast their ballot for a candidate in their local riding and not for the national leaders themselves.
This election cycle, the main threat to the long-standing rule of the Liberals came from the Conservative Party, a rejuvenated version of the old Progressive Conservative Party and the Alliance Party. Led by Stephen Harper, the fused entity represents mostly western interests and traditional views.
In a country where universal access to healthcare is an entrenched social value, Harper is on record as being in favor of privatizing the system. He is also opposed to equal marriage rights, which the Canadian Supreme Court instructed last year should not be denied by provincial legislatures. Harper also promised an increase in defense spending and hinted that he would send troops to Iraq. Canadian soldiers are currently in Afghanistan only and Martin has refused a Bush administration request to extend their stay beyond this summer. Moreover, when asked in a national televised debate Harper did not categorically deny that, as Prime Minister, he would attempt to restrict existing abortion rights.
The Liberals managed to hold on to 135 ridings; the Conservatives took 99; the Bloc Québécois, a party that advocates Quebec independence, obtained 54 seats; and the New Democratic Party, a slightly socialist leaning party that is the most open supporter of GLBT causes and equal marriage rights, won in 19 ridings. One independent was also elected, and for the first time, the Green Party obtained enough votes (4.5%) to qualify for federal election funds.
The real work of brokering agreements and compromise governance begins next week.