With results still trickling in, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party looks set to form a minority government as they were leading in 157 seats, with the Conservative party leading in 121.
Trudeau needs to hit the magic number of 170 in the 338-seat House of Commons, a goal that will require him earn the support of another party, most likely with the New Democratic Party (NDP), in order to govern. Indian-Canadian Jagmeet Singh’s NDP party won 24 seats and will likely emerge as a kingmaker in coming negotiations.
Singh’s campaign promises include a $10 billion national pharmacare program, affordable housing, increasing child-care allowances, forgiving student loan interest and imposing higher taxes on corporations and the super-rich. A coalition between the Liberal Party and the NDP is likely to swing the resultant government further left in terms of policy.
Trudeau tweeted, “Thank you, Canada, for putting your trust in our team and for having faith in us to move this country in the right direction. Regardless of how you cast your vote, our team will work hard for all Canadians.”
This election saw Trudeau’s image tarnished by the release of images of him donning ‘brownface’ at an ‘Arabian Nights’ themed party in the 2001. Brownface and blackface are forms of ethnic impersonation using makeup, considered highly racist in modern society; the incident tarnished Trudeau’s image as an inclusive and politically-correct leader, forcing him to apologise several times.
This, in addition to a perceived lacklustre response to corruption allegations, may have contributed to the Liberal Party's loss of 20 seats from their last election tally, while the Conservatives gained 26 in response. The NDP, too, lost seats this time, with 15 seats less than the results from the last election.
US President Donald Trump congratulated Trudeau on “a wonderful and hard-fought victory” on Twitter. While Trump and Trudeau have had many differences in the past, Trump nonetheless said that “Canada is well served” and that he looked forward with working with Trudeau “toward the betterment of both of our countries.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Trudeau on Twitter, saying, "Congratulations @JustinTrudeau. India and Canada are connected by shared values and a strong commitment to democracy as well as plurality. Looking forward to working together to further strengthen bilateral relations."
