Stay the course, but work better with others is message sent to Liberals in Ottawa
Following a short election campaign, there was a sense of déjà vu in the country on Tuesday with Justin Trudeau once again leading the country with a minority Liberal government -- as was the case when he was previously elected two years ago.
There were questions raised when the snap election was called back in August as to whether it was the right time, given the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of the fourth wave – now the question for the prime minister is whether his political gamble has paid off.
"From Victoria to St. John's, voters basically said, look, we want you to stay the course," says political scientist and professor at St. Thomas University Jamie Gillies, "we're not going to reward you for helping us through this part of the pandemic – finish the job and we'll check with you back in 18 months or two years."
Gillies says the message from voters is that they did not want a major political change, but that they do want the parties to work together to get through the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. As for whether it was all worth it, he says in his opinion, no.
"They're basically right where they were when they started, and so in that sense in failed," says Gillies, "but they get to renew their mandate, they don't have to worry about another election for potentially four or five years if they can work with the other parties."
Professor of political science at Cape Breton University Tom Urbaniak says this was an election where everyone essentially lost to some extent – he says voters were "annoyed" at having an election at this time, and that these results should be a "humbling message" to all of the party leaders.
"Justin Trudeau is safe for now as Liberal leader," says Urbaniak. "But he needs to take the message, and I think some of his caucus colleagues are going to say it to him straight out, that Canadians expect a humbler, more collaborative authentic approach."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.