Liberal victory hangs in balance, special ballots to decide Canada's future

The tension in the air was palpable, a mix of anticipation and uncertainty, as Canadians watched the election results trickle in. For many, the wait was agonizing, with the final shape of the government hanging on the count of special ballots.

According to Elections Canada, the pause was necessitated to ensure counters and scrutineers got sufficient rest following a night of vote counting. It also added that several ridings witnessed neck-and-neck contests and the final result was delayed because of a large number of advance and special ballots.

The marathon vote tally, paused in the early hours of Tuesday, resumed with the Liberals holding a precarious lead. The final result is expected by Tuesday afternoon.


The question of a majority or minority government loomed, with the potential to significantly impact the legislative agenda as the Liberals had won or were leading 168 ridings with the halfway mark of 172 agonisingly close..

"We are all Canadian, and my government will work for and with everyone," Mark Carney declared in his victory speech, extending an olive branch to a divided nation.

Despite the loss, Pierre Poilievre pledged to stay on as Conservative leader, acknowledging the need for introspection. His party was in sight to bag 144 seats.

"We have to learn the lessons of tonight so that we can have an even better result the next time," he stated, his words a testament to the resilience of the opposition.

The NDP, however, faced a devastating blow, with leader Jagmeet Singh losing his seat and announcing his resignation.

"We're only defeated when we believe … those that tell us that we can never dream of a better Canada, a fairer Canada, a more compassionate Canada," Singh said, his voice thick with emotion as the results showed a dismal seven seats as NDP’s tally.

The party's struggle to maintain official status added another layer of uncertainty to the political landscape.

The shadow of US President Donald Trump loomed large over the election, his tariff threats and annexation rhetoric shaping the national conversation.

Carney's impending meeting with Trump, following their initial campaign call, held the potential to reshape the delicate balance of the Canada-US relationship.

The outcome of the special ballot count would not only determine the composition of the government but also set the stage for Canada's future on the global stage.