Canada votes in election that could see Justin Trudeau lose power

[FM123]

(Associated Press) TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced the threat of being knocked from power after one term as the nation held parliamentary elections on Monday.

The 47-year-old Trudeau channeled the star power of his father, the liberal icon and late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, when he won in 2015, but a combination of scandal and high expectations have damaged his prospects.

Results began to trickle in as the first polls closed in the Atlantic Coast province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Polls indicate Trudeau’s Liberal Party could lose to the rival Conservatives, or perhaps win but still fail to get a majority of seats in Parliament and have to rely on an opposition party to remain in power.

“It’s a coin toss,” said Nik Nanos, a Canadian pollster.

Not in 84 years has a first-term Canadian prime minister with a parliamentary majority lost a bid for re-election.

Trudeau brought his wife and three kids along as he voted in his district in Montreal.

Handsome and charismatic, Trudeau reasserted liberalism in 2015 after almost 10 years of Conservative Party government in Canada, but he is one of the few remaining progressive leaders in the world. He has been viewed as a beacon for liberals in the Trump era, even appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine under the headline “Why Can’t He Be Our President?”

Perhaps sensing Trudeau was in trouble, Barack Obama made an unprecedented endorsement by a former American president in urging Canadians to re-elect Trudeau and saying the world needs his progressive leadership now.

But old photos of Trudeau in blackface and brownface surfaced last month, casting doubt on his judgment.

Trudeau also was hurt by a scandal that erupted this year when his former attorney general said he pressured her to halt the prosecution of a Quebec company. Trudeau has said he was standing up for jobs, but the damage gave a boost to the Conservative Party led by Andrew Scheer.

No party is expected to get a majority of Parliament’s 338 seats, so a shaky alliance may be needed to pass legislation.
(Read more)

https://www.apnews.com/5460dd41243c458185e8c02b3b4fee52

[UniteFightBack]

1. Like he's 'that bad' for cripes fuckin sakes????!!?@#$%&&U*( First time in 84 years?? He's

THAT BAD??? I'm sorry but I just don't think so.

[Dagstead Bumwood]

2. If he loses can he just come run this country?

Dear God, please?

[FBaggins]

3. Troubling early sign

From The Independent

Initial polling data is putting Newfoundland at nearly all red (FB note - red/blue is reversed in Canada). However interestingly the popular vote is showing a big difference from 2015. Liberals had 65% of the popular vote in 2015, with Conservatives only at 10%. However data so far shows the parties at 51% and 34% respectively.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/canada-election-results-live-exit-polls-close-trudeau-scheer-vote-candidates-latest-updates-a9165086.html#post-1176858015

[abqtommy]

4. I think it's too early to be getting alarmed. Everything I've read in the past months is that the

Canadian election is too close to call until the people vote. From what I see the Canadian right is just like the right anywhere so since I have relatives in Canada I hope the left wins. I read the CBC news
(Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and right now the Liberals have a healthy lead.

[FBaggins]

6. Not at all too early to be worried

Last time around, the liberals swept the Atlantic Canada regions. Right now it looks like conservatives are picking up eight of those seats.

Liberals are already worried that unless the Bloc underperforms recent polling, they won't be able to pick up enough in Quebec to offset.

Early to pull our hair out perhaps... but not too early to worry.

[a kennedy]

5. Barack even endorsed him......

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. Probably a Liberal govt. in coalition with NDP

Although they might have to fight an attempt to form a govt. by the Conservatives and the BQ.

[FM123]

8. I was just thinking about something he said, and it rings true for us too...

"This election is not about the next 4 years. It's about the next 40. Think about the future you want for your kids as you head to the polls. Vote liberal. #ChooseForward"

[SidDithers]

9. With 6 parties, a Majority government is unlikely...

I suspect we'll see Liberals with a Minority, maybe a coalition with the NDP.

Conservatives are seeing a small number of pickups in Atlantic Canada, but I think they need more to take a run at forming a government.

If Quebec elects a lot of Bloc Quebecois candidates, that will take away from Liberals.

Ontario should go heavy Liberal. A very unpopular Conservative premier has been in hiding for the last month, so as not to remind voters that Conservatives are assholes.

Prairies will go Conservative.

It will probably come down to BC voters, so we're settling in for a long night.

Sid

[FBaggins]

11. Global News already calling a minority government

Liberals have already lost too many seats.

Sounds like it's still an open question which side will form that minority government, but leaning left.

[SidDithers]

12. CBC just called a Liberal government...

so at least a Minority.

Toronto and suburbs look like they're going heavy Liberal.

Conservatives didn't pick up enough in Maritimes and Quebec.

I'm OK with a Liberal minority, because the partner parties (NDP and Green) will be left of the Liberals, so we'll have more progressive policy.

Even the BQ are very liberal, except for that whole separation thingy.

Sid

[Baclava]

10. Canada election results - live: Trudeau fights to keep power in 'coin toss' election

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/canada-election-results-live-exit-polls-close-trudeau-scheer-vote-candidates-latest-updates-a9165086.html

[RhodeIslandOne]

13. He is being projected as holding power

Strong night in Ontario. But probably not a majority government. He'll be forced to deal with minority progressive parties.