Canada Vote Today: Will Hunting Meet Singh Kingmaker be? What happens if no party manages to win a majority? | Today news

Canada is going to the poll in an important election today that will form the country’s future, with concerns about national security, trade tensions with the United States, and the role of political parties all at the forefront. While voters cast their ballots, the political landscape sees a dramatic shift. In the middle of the competition, the liberals of Premier Markus, led by a former central banker, and the conservatives of Pierre Poelievre, both fighting for the country’s government. Meanwhile, Jagmeet Singh’s new Democratic Party (NDP) was able to play the important role of Kingmaker again, depending on how the election results unfold. A careful race between the liberal and conservatives’ recent polling data indicates a close race between the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party. The liberals, led by Mark Carney, are currently holding a narrow lead over the conservatives, led by Pierre Poelievre. According to the national polling, Carney’s liberals supported about 42.6%, while the conservatives of Poilievre have 39.9%. In this close competition, the NDP, led by Jagmeet Singh, is significantly with a distant third place, while the Bloc Quebecois, which works exclusively in Quebec, is fourth. The competition is particularly fierce in important election districts – also known as horsets – where the results can change the political landscape dramatically. With no party expected to win a clear majority, the position of the NDP becomes crucial. In a minority government scenario, the NDP may have the power to influence which party the next government forms, which again makes Singh’s party the potential kingmaker. Hunting Meet Singh’s role hunting measuring Singh finds himself on a significant crossroads in his political career. After supporting the liberal government previously under Justin Trudeau in exchange for social expenses initiatives, Singh and the NDP withdrew their support in September 2024 due to the growing momentum of the Conservative Party. While casting the votes, the position of the NDP has weakened, with polls indicating that Singh’s party could lose the official party status if they fall below 12 seats. Singh, who has built up his reputation on the conditions of presence, inclusion and social justice, is now facing an uphill struggle to maintain the NDP’s influence in Canadian politics. In his own ride of Burnaby Central, a newly established district in British -Columbia, Singh stands with a tough competition, with polls indicating that he may be left behind the liberals. This district, which replaced Burnaby South, was once held by Singh, but the shifting dynamics in the region indicate that it may not have won this time. If Singh loses his seat, it would indicate a setback for the NDP, which in the coming years could struggle to retain its relevance in Canadian politics. Trump’s influence: National Security and Economic concerns The campaign was deeply influenced by the rhetoric of US President Donald Trump, especially his trading tariffs and controversial comments on Canada. Trump’s threats raised a greater concern about national security and drove a wave of patriotism in Canada, which led to many Canadian joining Mark Carney’s Liberal Party. As a former central banker with great international experience, Carney has positioned himself as the steady leader who can protect Canada’s sovereignty in the light of foreign pressure. This shift in public sentiment, powered by Trump’s actions, contributed to the liberal’s narrow lead in national polls. Canadian prioritize national security and the defense of Canadian sovereignty, which makes the liberals the preferred choice for many voters concerned about Trump’s aggressive rhetoric. What happens if no party wins a majority? Canada’s parliamentary system is designed to deal with minority governments, where no single party holds a majority of the 343 seats in the House of Commons. In such cases, the ruling party must ask for support from other parties to adopt legislation, which often leads to informal agreements or coalitions. If the government loses confidence, it can be forced to resign, causing another election. If the election leads to a minority government, Singh’s NDP can again play a key role in determining the plight of the next government. Depending on the score of the seat, the NDP may choose to support the liberal or the conservatives, or even withhold support, leading to a possible stalemate in the legislature. In this scenario, the influence of the NDP may be decisive in the formation of the Canadian policy. Singh has already said that he would not form a coalition government with the liberal if no party would win a clear majority. According to the NDP leader, his focus remains on the attempt to reduce NDP priorities, such as debt forgiveness for students, the cost of medicine for prescriptions and addressing climate change, rather than sharing power with the liberals. This position may limit the bargaining power of the NDP in negotiations after the election, but it also strengthens Singh’s commitment to the values ​​of his party. NDP’s future and challenge the future of the NDP on its ability to maintain party status, ensure a sufficient number of seats and influence the legislative outcomes. If the NDP fails to obtain a significant number of seats, the party may struggle to retain its relevance in Canadian politics. However, if the party remains influential and ensures enough seats, Singh can play an important role in determining which party will rule and what policy will be pursued. In the case of a minority government, the NDP’s leverage will be determined by how many seats they occupy and whether they can do strategic transactions with the liberals or the conservatives. This may include supporting specific policies or the actions of legislative concessions in exchange for their support. First published: 28 Apr 2025, 08:39 IST