The shape of the next Liberal government is becoming clearer as ballot counting continues after a historic election day in Canada.
Canadians still won’t know until later Tuesday whether Mark Carney’s Liberals have won a majority or minority mandate from voters.
Elections Canada decided early Tuesday morning to pause the marathon counting of special ballots with a handful of ridings still too close to call.
One of those outstanding seats was the Ottawa riding of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, but The Canadian Press decision desk has now projected Liberal Bruce Fanjoy’s win over Poilievre.
The tallying of votes resumed at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Special ballots are cast by mail or at Elections Canada offices by voters who are away from their ridings during the election.
The Liberals were leading or elected in 168 seats when the counting was paused, four short of a majority. Elections Canada estimated that the uncounted votes could affect the results in about a dozen ridings.
A majority government would allow the Liberals to pass legislation without the support of other parties. If the final result remains a minority, the Liberals would need help to pursue their agenda.
In his victory speech, Carney pledged to unite a divided country in the face of ongoing tensions with the United States. He promised to lead a government that represents all Canadians and said the country works when Canadians pull together.
“Let’s put an end to the division and anger of the past,” Carney said. “We are all Canadian, and my government will work for and with everyone.”
Poilievre said during his speech that he would stay on as Conservative leader despite his party’s loss. He hushed some booing from the crowd when he congratulated Carney on his win.
“No, no, we’ll have plenty of opportunity to debate and disagree. But tonight we come together as Canadians,” Poilievre said.
“We have to learn the lessons of tonight so that we can have an even better result the next time.”
