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Canadians re-elect Conservatives Canadians re-elect Conservatives
(about 3 hours later)
Canada's ruling Conservative Party has been re-elected to head another minority government, according to early results from Canada's elections agency. Canadians have re-elected the Conservative Party, led by Stephen Harper, who will form the third minority government in four years.
The Conservatives, led by Stephen Harper, won 143 seats, a big increase but still short of the 155 needed for a parliamentary majority. With almost all votes in, the Conservatives were said to have won 143 seats, a big rise but still short of the 155 needed for a majority.
The opposition Liberal Party, led by Stephane Dion, has won 76 seats, a loss of nearly 20 seats. The opposition Liberal Party, under Stephane Dion, has won 76 seats, a loss of nearly 20 seats.
It will be Canada's third minority government in four years. Turnout was put at 59.1% - one of the lowest figures on record.
Early results indicated that the Conservatives had taken 37.6% of the vote, the Elections Canada website reported. The Conservatives have taken 37.6% of the popular vote, the Elections Canada website reported.
The Liberals secured 26.2% of the vote.The Liberals secured 26.2% of the vote.
Mr Harper hailed his party's increase of 16 seats as he claimed victory in the western city of Calgary.Mr Harper hailed his party's increase of 16 seats as he claimed victory in the western city of Calgary.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper addresses his supporters at a victory rallyPrime Minister Stephen Harper addresses his supporters at a victory rally
"Our party is bigger, our support base is broader and more and more Canadians are finding a home in the Conservative Party," he said."Our party is bigger, our support base is broader and more and more Canadians are finding a home in the Conservative Party," he said.
He promised to work with the other parties in the House of Commons "to protect the economy and weather this financial crisis".He promised to work with the other parties in the House of Commons "to protect the economy and weather this financial crisis".
Mr Harper called the snap poll - the country's third election in four years - in the hope of securing a majority.Mr Harper called the snap poll - the country's third election in four years - in the hope of securing a majority.
He had described the previous parliament as deadlocked and dysfunctional.He had described the previous parliament as deadlocked and dysfunctional.
Economic turmoilEconomic turmoil
Canada was the first big economic power to go to the polls to elect a new government since the financial crisis.Canada was the first big economic power to go to the polls to elect a new government since the financial crisis.
The global financial crisis came to dominate the campaign, and Mr Harper was criticised for taking a "stay-the-course" approach and for not showing enough empathy with Canadians affected by the stock market turbulence. The crisis came to dominate the campaign and Mr Harper was criticised for taking a "stay-the-course" approach and for not showing enough empathy with Canadians affected by the stock market turbulence.
ELECTION RESULTS Conservatives: 143 seats, 37.6%Liberals: 76 seats, 26.2%Bloc Quebecois: 50 seats, 10%NDP: 37 seats, 18.2% Other parties: 2 seats, 8% Source: Elections CanadaELECTION RESULTS Conservatives: 143 seats, 37.6%Liberals: 76 seats, 26.2%Bloc Quebecois: 50 seats, 10%NDP: 37 seats, 18.2% Other parties: 2 seats, 8% Source: Elections Canada
The Conservatives also failed to gain much-needed support in the province of Quebec, where his cuts to arts funding were not well received.The Conservatives also failed to gain much-needed support in the province of Quebec, where his cuts to arts funding were not well received.
But the Liberals failed to inspire voters with an ambitious green carbon tax plan, says the BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto.But the Liberals failed to inspire voters with an ambitious green carbon tax plan, says the BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto.
Mr Dion conceded defeat at a rally in Montreal, offering Mr Harper his "full co-operation in these difficult economic times".Mr Dion conceded defeat at a rally in Montreal, offering Mr Harper his "full co-operation in these difficult economic times".
Mr Dion, a French-Canadian from Quebec, also had difficulty connecting with English-speaking voters, our correspondent says.Mr Dion, a French-Canadian from Quebec, also had difficulty connecting with English-speaking voters, our correspondent says.
He gave no indication he would be stepping down as Liberal leader over his party's loss of seats.He gave no indication he would be stepping down as Liberal leader over his party's loss of seats.
"Canadians are asking me to be the leader of the opposition and I accept that responsibility as an honour," he said."Canadians are asking me to be the leader of the opposition and I accept that responsibility as an honour," he said.
In other results, the separatist Bloc Quebecois picked up two seats for a total of 50, while the left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) gained seven seats to finish with 37. In other results, the separatist Bloc Quebecois have picked up two seats for a total of 50, while the left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) gained seven seats to reach 37.