Toronto, April 29 – Canada’s Liberal Party took an early lead on Sunday night as polls closed across the country in a closely contested election where a few battleground ridings could determine the next prime minister.
In Burnaby Central, British Columbia, a newly created riding replacing Burnaby South, early results showed a shift away from the left-leaning New Democrats (NDP), whose leader Jagmeet Singh is trailing as Liberal support consolidates among center-left voters. Singh had previously helped former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority government pass major healthcare expansions. In 2021, Singh won Burnaby South with 40.3% of the vote, ahead of the Liberals’ 30.4%.
In the crucial Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill riding in Ontario’s Greater Toronto Area, Conservatives aim to capitalize on voter frustrations over living costs, immigration, and housing shortages. Liberals narrowly won the seat in 2021, with 45.2% of the vote compared to 42.1% for the Conservatives.
The race in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, remains highly competitive. In 2021, the Bloc Quebecois edged out a win by just 83 votes in a riding that has seen close contests among the Bloc, Conservatives, and Liberals. Quebec remains essential for any party seeking to form a government, given its high seat count.
Meanwhile, in Edmonton Southeast, Alberta, the Liberals are hoping to make rare gains in a traditionally conservative province. Former Liberal cabinet minister Amarjeet Sohi is running in the newly drawn riding. Success here would signal a potential breakthrough for the party in the oil-producing region where they have long struggled.
Atlantic Canada’s early results also began to take shape, offering a potential bellwether for the night’s outcome. In Cumberland-Colchester, Nova Scotia, the Conservatives are looking to hold onto gains made in 2021 after taking the seat from the Liberals with 46.0% of the vote.
Lastly, all eyes are on Burlington, Ontario — Canada’s premier electoral bellwether. The riding has elected a member of the winning party for 12 consecutive elections since 1984. Liberals carried Burlington in 2021 with 45.7% of the vote against 37.3% for the Conservatives.
Turnout and final results from these key ridings are expected to be crucial in determining whether the Liberals can retain power or if the Conservatives can capitalize on widespread voter dissatisfaction to form the next government.
