Ninety minutes after the first polls in Canada closed, it’s been a mixed bag for the federal parties.
According to the Canadian Press at 7:30 p.m. Manitoba time, the Liberals led 25 ridings through the Maritimes and are projected to win at least 13 seats in the region.
Between Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, the Liberals stand to win most of the region’s 31 seats, along with one riding in Quebec.
Elsewhere in the region, the Conservative Party of Canada is leading in six ridings and is likely to win three, while the NDP has one candidate likely to be elected. One Green Party candidate is leading in a close race in New Brunswick.
While the numbers look good for the Liberals on the surface, they actually show a decline in performance for the party from the 2015 election. Four years ago, the Liberal party swept every riding through Canada’s first four provinces to report poll results. The Liberals share of the popular vote has dropped over 10 per cent.
Polls are still open in Flin Flon, along with the rest of Manitoba, until 8:30 local time. In total, 263 of the country’s 338 ridings – including Quebec and everything west of the province – will wrap up at the same time. Voters in line when the polls close will still be able to cast their ballots.
