The Canadians have gifted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (49) with another term in office, as depicted by the election results. Financial figures showed that this was the most expensive federal election in Canada’s history, and Trudeau still has the bragging rights. He was hoping to win the majority, but that wish was not granted.
Trudeau wanted to liberate himself from relying on other parties to pass legislation since he had minority parliament seats. Snap elections were called as a strategy to gunner majority by the Liberals. Final results revealed that the Liberal Party got elected in 158 seats compared to 157 seats attained in 2019, and this was 12 seats short of the 170 needed for a majority in the House of Commons [Source]. The Conservatives had 119 seats, while the leftist New Democrats amassed 25. The Bloc Quebecois managed to get 34 seats, with the Greens getting only two.
The Liberals only acquired the higher price of retaining the high throne, but they have failed to get a majority. Various politicians despised the decision to have elections earlier before Trudeau’s term expires. Opposition parties blamed him for using this method for his own personal while using the country’s funds. Political analysts described such a move as an unnecessary initiative to get majority rule so that the Liberals could implement ‘biased’ policies. Since he was already the prime minister, Trudeau’s opponents noted that there was no need to amass more power when passing the legislature. Parliamentary discussions are vital in policymaking and passing legislature, so it should not be one party’s call to pass any bill.
But Trudeau saw the need to pursue majority seats. This was mainly triggered by his clash with the Conservatives party in terms of handling the coronavirus pandemic. The Liberals were in full support of lockdowns and mandate vaccination for most government workers. Conservative leader Erin O’Toole was moving in a different direction, not forcing anyone to get vaccinated [Source]. Such clashes are seen as undermining a country’s leader, hence Trudeau wanted to ‘own all the power’ of implementing strategies deemed fit to fight against covid-19.
The newly elected Prime Minister Trudeau appreciated his supporters, who proved that they wanted him to keep driving their country forward. He acknowledged how a decision to have elections was not popular among his countrymen and would like the citizens to go back to their normal when faced with a global crisis. In addressing the people, he said, “I hear you when you say that you just want to get back to the things you love, not worry about this pandemic or about an election. That you just want to know that your members of parliament of all stripes will have your back through this crisis and beyond” [Source]. He added that “The moment we face demands real important change. You have given this parliament and this government clear direction.”
However, some parties feel that Trudeau wasted money and resources to conduct elections which were not even needed in the first place. Toronto Star political columnist Chantal Hebert said, “It looks like nobody wanted an election and no one got what they wanted.” Nelson Wiseman believed that this election only helped Liberals intensify their leadership stamp, as he said, “Hubris led Trudeau to call the election. He and the Liberals won the election but lost the prize they were seeking. This is only a great night for the Liberals because two weeks ago, it appeared they would lose government outright something they could not fathom before they gambled on an election.”
Other losing candidates addressed the nation and their loyal fans who voted for them. NDP’s leader Jagmeet Singh vowed to exert more effort in the party as they sought to be elected into power. He said, “We will never stop fighting for you,” in relation to getting results more favorable to the supporters [Source]. Bloc Quebecois’s leader Yves-Francois Blanchet posited that “The result is hard to comment on,” and added that “So what this all means is…we will to do more and do better. The people of Quebec expect that we will do this”.
O’Toole, the Conservative Leader, said if the necessary work is done, then “whenever the next election come,” he “will be ready to lead Conservative party to victory.” Green Party’s leader Annamie Paul was grateful for the few seats and encouraged supporters to celebrate. She said, “We’re sending two hopefully three greens to Ottawa.”
Despite failing to get majority seats, Trudeau can enjoy his triumph as most Canadians seem to believe in his governance and can take this momentum to execute his duties whole heartedly to the supporters who voted for him.
