What Happens if Canada's Conservatives Lose?

On Oct. 19, Canadian voters will go to the polls to elect a new House of Commons and bring about a likely change of government. The most recent polling shows little chance that Stephen Harper’s Conservative Party will gain the 170 seats it needs to continue as a majority government. Neither, however, will the Liberals or the New Democratic Party (NDP) have enough votes to govern on their own. The Liberals, led by Justin Trudeau, son of the former prime minister, last held the government from 2004 to 2006 under Paul Martin. The New Democratic Party (NDP), formed in 1961 with strong labor union support, has never been in government. Next week’s results most likely will lead to a return of a minority Conservative government with Harper depending on Liberal or NDP votes to pass most legislation.