Canadian Election: $300 Million For What?

The prematurely called elections cost the taxpayers C$300 million. Harper was secretly hoping to gain a majority. The voters thought otherwise and returned another minority government.

Of not to Pakistanis: Wajid Khan (en ex PAF pilot) who got elected twice on the Liberal ticket from Mississagua riding, switched parties and joined the Conservatives. He was soundly thrashed by the voters for the switch.

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives were preparing to return to Ottawa after winning a strengthened mandate in a general election Tuesday that resulted in Canada's third consecutive minority government.

"Canadians have voted to move our country forward and they have done so with confidence," Harper told a rally in Calgary as supporters celebrated the party's victory and the end of a tumultuous — and at times rancorous — 37-day campaign.

As of early Wednesday with almost 60 per cent of votes counted, the Conservatives were elected or leading in 143 ridings, up from 127 in 2006, while the Liberals were elected or leading in 76, a drop of 19 seats from the party's standing at dissolution.

Bloc Québécois candidates were leading or elected in 50 ridings, while NDP candidates were ahead or holding 37 seats, a gain of seven seats over the last election. Two Independents also held on to their seats.

With the Liberal popular support sinking to a level not seen since 1867, there was renewed speculation over the future of party leader Stéphane Dion. He conceded defeat early Wednesday morning, but made no mention of resigning as Opposition leader.