5 key takeaways from Monday’s historic vote

Canada’s 45th general election has brought about significant changes in the composition of the House of Commons. The election results have shaken up the political landscape, with the emergence of a fierce competition between the Liberals and Conservatives, the decline of NDP support, and some notable losses among incumbents. Here are five key takeaways from Monday’s election.

1. Final results still uncertain:
Liberal Leader Mark Carney is set to form the government, but whether it will be a minority or majority government remains uncertain. The Liberals have secured 168 seats, just shy of the 172 needed for a majority. With over a dozen seats still too close to call, the final outcome hinges on the remaining polls.

2. NDP collapse and the two-party race:
One of the defining features of the 2025 election was the collapse of NDP support, leading to a showdown between the Liberals and Conservatives. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced his resignation as the party faced losing official party status in the House. The Conservatives capitalized on the NDP’s decline by gaining seats in traditionally orange ridings.

3. Leaders without seats:
Both Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh were projected to lose their seats. Poilievre faced defeat in his long-held seat of Carleton, while Singh trailed in his Burnaby Central riding. While Singh resigned, Poilievre expressed his intention to continue leading the Conservatives.

4. Conservative success in Ontario:
The Conservatives outperformed expectations in Ontario, garnering close to 45% of the vote in the province. The party made significant gains in the 905 region and secured seats from both the NDP and Liberals. The strong showing in Ontario was a highlight of the Conservative campaign.

5. Federal-provincial conservative tensions:
Tensions between federal and provincial conservatives were evident throughout the campaign. Conservative strategist Kory Teneyke criticized the federal campaign for its handling of the U.S. trade war, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford backed up the critique. Despite the tensions, the Conservatives saw a better-than-expected result on election night, prompting mixed reactions from party members.

The 2025 election has reshaped the political landscape in Canada, with the Liberals and Conservatives emerging as the dominant forces. The collapse of NDP support, incumbent losses, and tensions within the conservative camp have added layers of complexity to the post-election scenario. As the newly elected government takes shape, the impact of the election results will continue to unfold in the coming days and weeks.