WEB DESK: Canadians prepare to cast their ballots on April 28, all eyes are on the battle between two leading figures vying to become the next prime minister: Liberal leader Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
This election marks a significant turning point, coming shortly after the resignation of Justin Trudeau, who stepped down earlier this year following nearly ten years in office.
Mark Carney, the newly installed Liberal leader and current prime minister, assumed the top job after securing over 85 per cent support within his party.
To secure victory, the party led by the former central banker aims to capitalize on the dwindling support for the New Democrats, Bloc Quebecois, and even the Greens, who only have two seats to protect.
Canadians will elect 343 members of parliament to the House of Commons, an increase of five compared to the 2021 vote, reflecting the country’s growing population.
If a party wins 172 seats, they secure a majority government. If no individual party wins a majority, the party with the most seats is typically given the chance to form a government, which requires having “the confidence of the house.”
The party with the most seats can seek to form a minority government through formal coalition agreements with smaller parties, or try to govern through a series of informal or written agreements with other factions.
Trudeau’s Liberals secured a majority in 2015, but have governed with a minority since 2019.
The first results will come in just after 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, when voting hours end in the four Atlantic provinces, accounting for a little less than 10% of the seats in play.
The vast majority of results will be released at 9:30 p.m., when voting ends in most of the country, including in seat-rich Ontario and Quebec. The outcome of the election could be known shortly after these votes start to be reported.
