Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party has secured victory in the third election but has fallen short of a majority.

The Canadian leader's party secured 158 out of 338 electoral districts while the Conservatives secured 119 seats and will be the official opposition.

Trudeau will seek support from smaller factions such as the leftist New Democrats and the separatist Bloc Quebecois who have won 25 and 34 seats respectively.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/news-alert-justin-trudeau-to-remain-prime-minister-of-canada-414615/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

US President Joe Biden congratulated Trudeau for his victory in the Canadian snap election.&nbsp;

The White House said that Biden highlighted the ''strong and deep'' friendship between the two countries and discussed the shared commitment of the two countries to strengthen their resilience and competitiveness.''

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/17-indo-canadians-triumph-in-canadas-snap-elections-as-trudeau-fails-to-win-majority-414732">17 Indo-Canadians triumph in Canada's snap elections as Trudeau fails to win majority&nbsp;</a>

Former US President Barack Obama had endorsed Trudeau, days before Canadians went to polls, saying that he has been an ''effective leader and strong voice for democratic values.''

Indo-Canadians such as Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also won the federal election. Canada is home to one of the largest diasporas in the world. Three per cent of the country's population is Indian.

This year's election was the most expensive election in the country's history as it cost Canadians C$600 million.

Seeking to benefit from the Canadian government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Trudeau had called snap elections two years early.

Insiders in the&nbsp;Liberal Party believe that Trudeau can step down before the next election as no person in Canada has won four consecutive terms.

In that case, Innovation Minister Francois Philippe Champagne and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland can be his potential successors.

Trudeau had&nbsp;swept into power in 2015. He&nbsp;is the son of former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau who had also stayed in office for&nbsp;six years.

Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party has secured victory in the third election but has fallen short of a majority. The Canadian leader's party secured 158 out of 338 electoral districts while the Conservatives secured 119 seats and will be the official opposition.

Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party has secured victory in the third election but has fallen short of a majority. The Canadian leader's party secured 158 out of 338 electoral districts while the Conservatives secured 119 seats and will be the official opposition. Trudeau will seek support from smaller factions such as the leftist New Democrats and the separatist Bloc Quebecois who have won 25 and 34 seats respectively. US President Joe Biden congratulated Trudeau for his victory in the Canadian snap election. The White House said that Biden highlighted the ''strong and deep'' friendship between the two countries and discussed the shared commitment of the two countries to strengthen their resilience and competitiveness.'' Also read: 17 Indo-Canadians triumph in Canada's snap elections as Trudeau fails to win majority Former US President Barack Obama had endorsed Trudeau, days before Canadians went to polls, saying that he has been an ''effective leader and strong voice for democratic values.'' Indo-Canadians such as Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also won the federal election. Canada is home to one of the largest diasporas in the world. Three per cent of the country's population is Indian. This year's election was the most expensive election in the country's history as it cost Canadians C$600 million. Seeking to benefit from the Canadian government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Trudeau had called snap elections two years early. Insiders in the Liberal Party believe that Trudeau can step down before the next election as no person in Canada has won four consecutive terms. In that case, Innovation Minister Francois Philippe Champagne and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland can be his potential successors. Trudeau had swept into power in 2015. He is the son of former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau who had also stayed in office for six years.

Canada election: Justin Trudeau wins third election but falls short of majority

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau devoted most of his time in a first election debate late Tuesday to discussing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and hit out at his main challenger, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole.

The French-language dustup, less than three weeks before voting, saw the one-time golden boy of Canadian politics square off against O'Toole, whom he now trails in public opinion polls, as well as New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Yves-Francois Blanchet at the reins of the separatist Bloc Quebecois.

They sparred over mandatory Covid vaccines, child care, taxation and the economy, oil and climate change, gun violence, the #MeToo movement, racism and "Quebec bashing."

"You do not know the issues, Mr. O'Toole!," Trudeau said. "You have not costed any of your policy proposals. It is not a serious plan."

He also accused the frontrunner of supporting "two-tier" private and public health care, which a majority of Canadians reject.

At the same time, Trudeau found himself on the defensive for having called the snap election only 18 months after the last general election, which he defended by saying a new mandate was needed to steer the nation out of the pandemic.&nbsp;

"We must give Canadians the choice," he shot back at challengers as he picked apart the Conservatives' election plank.

The Liberals called the election while high in the polls, hoping to regain a majority in the House of Commons, but Trudeau stumbled in the first two weeks of the campaign.

Few wanted an election now, when Canadians are just starting to emerge from pandemic lockdowns of the past year to return to the office and send their kids back to school, and O'Toole made sure Trudeau knew it.

"Now is not the right time for an election," O'Toole said, accusing Trudeau of "putting his own interests ahead of Canadians' interests."&nbsp;

The other two leaders also piled on with similar rebukes.

After six years of Liberal rule, the Tory leader presented himself to the nation as the face of "change" and fiscal restraint after the Liberals ran up massive deficits to help households and businesses weather the pandemic.

Two more nationally-televised leaders debates, one in French and one in English, are scheduled for September 8 and 9.

The four main party leaders will be joined then by the Greens' Annamie Paul.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau devoted most of his time in a first election debate late Tuesday to discussing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and hit out at his main challenger, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau devoted most of his time in a first election debate late Tuesday to discussing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and hit out at his main challenger, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole. The French-language dustup, less than three weeks before voting, saw the one-time golden boy of Canadian politics square off against O'Toole, whom he now trails in public opinion polls, as well as New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Yves-Francois Blanchet at the reins of the separatist Bloc Quebecois. They sparred over mandatory Covid vaccines, child care, taxation and the economy, oil and climate change, gun violence, the #MeToo movement, racism and "Quebec bashing." "You do not know the issues, Mr. O'Toole!," Trudeau said. "You have not costed any of your policy proposals. It is not a serious plan." He also accused the frontrunner of supporting "two-tier" private and public health care, which a majority of Canadians reject. At the same time, Trudeau found himself on the defensive for having called the snap election only 18 months after the last general election, which he defended by saying a new mandate was needed to steer the nation out of the pandemic. "We must give Canadians the choice," he shot back at challengers as he picked apart the Conservatives' election plank. The Liberals called the election while high in the polls, hoping to regain a majority in the House of Commons, but Trudeau stumbled in the first two weeks of the campaign. Few wanted an election now, when Canadians are just starting to emerge from pandemic lockdowns of the past year to return to the office and send their kids back to school, and O'Toole made sure Trudeau knew it. "Now is not the right time for an election," O'Toole said, accusing Trudeau of "putting his own interests ahead of Canadians' interests." The other two leaders also piled on with similar rebukes. After six years of Liberal rule, the Tory leader presented himself to the nation as the face of "change" and fiscal restraint after the Liberals ran up massive deficits to help households and businesses weather the pandemic. Two more nationally-televised leaders debates, one in French and one in English, are scheduled for September 8 and 9. The four main party leaders will be joined then by the Greens' Annamie Paul.

Justin Trudeau's first Canada election debate a slugfest

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party on Wednesday pledged a whopping C$78 billion ($62 billion) in new investments over five years, with a focus on healthcare, if it wins the Sept. 20 federal election.

The investments would be partially offset by more than C$25 billion in new revenue, mostly from a higher tax&nbsp;on profits of banks and insurers and fighting tax evasion, the party said in releasing its full election platform.

These investments are in addition to the C$101 billion in extra spending over three years passed in a budget&nbsp;earlier this year, and would be spread over five years, from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The Liberals spent heavily on programs to shield citizens and businesses from the COVID-19 pandemic, driving the national debt and budget deficits to record highs. Trudeau sidestepped repeated questions as to when the budget might be balanced.

"I think it matters to be fiscally responsible. I think it matters to live within our means," he told a news conference in Toronto. "I think it also matters to be making the right investments so that future generations can prosper."

"This is a plan for jobs and growth," Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said standing alongside Trudeau.

Debt as a percentage of gross domestic product is projected to decline 2 percentage points to 46.5% in 2025-26, the Liberals said.

Trudeau called a snap vote two years early on Aug 15 hoping his management of the pandemic and his vaccine roll out would be a springboard to a majority.&nbsp;

But the polls show Trudeau's Liberals in a statistical tie with Erin O'Toole's Conservatives less than three weeks before the vote.&nbsp;

The platform is "more borrowing, more debt, higher taxes, and rising prices," said Dan Robertson, chief of strategy for O'Toole, on Twitter.

O'Toole has also put forward a big-spending platform, but he said on Tuesday he would balance the budget in 10 years time "without cuts" and only by boosting revenues through stronger economic growth. The Conservatives have yet to detail the costs of their platform.

"If he doesn't show the numbers, why should Canadians believe him?" Trudeau said of O'Toole's pledge to balance the budget. "He's relying on a level of magical thinking that involves 3 per cent&nbsp;growth every single year."

Most of the individual policies in the Liberal platform have been announced, but this is the first glimpse at full pricing of the plan with investments focused on improving long-term care, mental health, indigenous health, and lowering soaring housing&nbsp;costs.

One new element in the platform is a promise by Liberals to increase accessibility for abortions across the country while revoking the charity status of anti-abortion organizations, an issue that has historically divided Canadian Conservatives.

While legal in&nbsp;Canada, access to abortions varies by province. Trudeau has suggested that a woman's right to choose could be threatened if the Conservatives win, given that some social conservatives want abortion limits to be imposed. O'Toole reiterated on Wednesday that he is pro-choice.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party on Wednesday pledged a whopping C$78 billion ($62 billion) in new investments over five years, with a focus on healthcare, if it wins the Sept.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party on Wednesday pledged a whopping C$78 billion ($62 billion) in new investments over five years, with a focus on healthcare, if it wins the Sept. 20 federal election. The investments would be partially offset by more than C$25 billion in new revenue, mostly from a higher tax on profits of banks and insurers and fighting tax evasion, the party said in releasing its full election platform. These investments are in addition to the C$101 billion in extra spending over three years passed in a budget earlier this year, and would be spread over five years, from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The Liberals spent heavily on programs to shield citizens and businesses from the COVID-19 pandemic, driving the national debt and budget deficits to record highs. Trudeau sidestepped repeated questions as to when the budget might be balanced. "I think it matters to be fiscally responsible. I think it matters to live within our means," he told a news conference in Toronto. "I think it also matters to be making the right investments so that future generations can prosper." "This is a plan for jobs and growth," Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said standing alongside Trudeau. Debt as a percentage of gross domestic product is projected to decline 2 percentage points to 46.5% in 2025-26, the Liberals said. Trudeau called a snap vote two years early on Aug 15 hoping his management of the pandemic and his vaccine roll out would be a springboard to a majority. But the polls show Trudeau's Liberals in a statistical tie with Erin O'Toole's Conservatives less than three weeks before the vote. The platform is "more borrowing, more debt, higher taxes, and rising prices," said Dan Robertson, chief of strategy for O'Toole, on Twitter. O'Toole has also put forward a big-spending platform, but he said on Tuesday he would balance the budget in 10 years time "without cuts" and only by boosting revenues through stronger economic growth. The Conservatives have yet to detail the costs of their platform. "If he doesn't show the numbers, why should Canadians believe him?" Trudeau said of O'Toole's pledge to balance the budget. "He's relying on a level of magical thinking that involves 3 per cent growth every single year." Most of the individual policies in the Liberal platform have been announced, but this is the first glimpse at full pricing of the plan with investments focused on improving long-term care, mental health, indigenous health, and lowering soaring housing costs. One new element in the platform is a promise by Liberals to increase accessibility for abortions across the country while revoking the charity status of anti-abortion organizations, an issue that has historically divided Canadian Conservatives. While legal in Canada, access to abortions varies by province. Trudeau has suggested that a woman's right to choose could be threatened if the Conservatives win, given that some social conservatives want abortion limits to be imposed. O'Toole reiterated on Wednesday that he is pro-choice.

Canada's ruling Liberals pledge massive new investments as election looms

Canada's ruling Liberal Party said on Wednesday that if re-elected it would raise corporate taxes on the most profitable banks and insurers to help pay for the cost of the COVID-19 recovery.

The Liberals said they would hike the rate to 18 per cent&nbsp;from 15 per cent&nbsp;on all earnings over C$1 billion ($793 million) and vowed to establish a special dividend, so that those same institutions contribute more. The measures are expected to generate C$2.5 billion per year over four years, starting in 2022/23.

Polls show the Liberals, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have a slender lead over their Conservative rivals ahead of the September&nbsp;20 election.

"Given that our banks have posted extraordinarily large profits, have continued to be incredibly successful, including through a pandemic ... we're going to ask them to do a little bit more," Trudeau told a campaign event in British Columbia on the same day that two banks reported big profits.

British Columbia is an influential province, accounting for 42 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons. Polls indicate the Liberals face a fight there from the opposition New Democrats, who also appeal to center-left voters.

The Canadian Bankers Association criticized the news, saying that "singling out specific economic sectors for special taxation is a proven detriment to economic growth".

The Canadian banks index slipped just 0.6 per cent&nbsp;after the announcement, compared with little change in the Toronto stock benchmark, but still ended the day up 0.5 per cent&nbsp;from Tuesday's close.

Maria Khoury, senior vice president for North American financial institutions' credit ratings at DBRS Morningstar, said

the muted reaction in part reflected skepticism over campaign promises and the broad expectation that some tax increases were inevitable following the flood of government support.

Large banks include Royal Bank of&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;(RBC), Toronto Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), Bank of Montreal (BMO) and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. RBC beat analysts' expectations for third-quarter profit on Wednesday after Scotiabank and BMO did the same on Tuesday. Large insurers include Manulife Financial, Sun Life Financial, Intact Financial and Great-West Lifeco.

Canada's ruling Liberal Party said on Wednesday that if re-elected it would raise corporate taxes on the most profitable banks and insurers to help pay for the cost of the COVID-19 recovery.

Canada's ruling Liberal Party said on Wednesday that if re-elected it would raise corporate taxes on the most profitable banks and insurers to help pay for the cost of the COVID-19 recovery. The Liberals said they would hike the rate to 18 per cent from 15 per cent on all earnings over C$1 billion ($793 million) and vowed to establish a special dividend, so that those same institutions contribute more. The measures are expected to generate C$2.5 billion per year over four years, starting in 2022/23. Polls show the Liberals, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have a slender lead over their Conservative rivals ahead of the September 20 election. "Given that our banks have posted extraordinarily large profits, have continued to be incredibly successful, including through a pandemic ... we're going to ask them to do a little bit more," Trudeau told a campaign event in British Columbia on the same day that two banks reported big profits. British Columbia is an influential province, accounting for 42 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons. Polls indicate the Liberals face a fight there from the opposition New Democrats, who also appeal to center-left voters. The Canadian Bankers Association criticized the news, saying that "singling out specific economic sectors for special taxation is a proven detriment to economic growth". The Canadian banks index slipped just 0.6 per cent after the announcement, compared with little change in the Toronto stock benchmark, but still ended the day up 0.5 per cent from Tuesday's close. Maria Khoury, senior vice president for North American financial institutions' credit ratings at DBRS Morningstar, said the muted reaction in part reflected skepticism over campaign promises and the broad expectation that some tax increases were inevitable following the flood of government support. Large banks include Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Toronto Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), Bank of Montreal (BMO) and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. RBC beat analysts' expectations for third-quarter profit on Wednesday after Scotiabank and BMO did the same on Tuesday. Large insurers include Manulife Financial, Sun Life Financial, Intact Financial and Great-West Lifeco.

Canada's ruling Liberals vow higher taxes on big bank profits to help fund COVID-19 recovery

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced snap elections on Sunday as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.

"Canadians need to choose how we finish the fight against COVID-19 and build back better - from getting the job done on vaccines, to having people's backs all the way through to the end of this crisis," the Canadian prime minister said.

The elections are due to take place on September 20.

Prime Minister Trudeau has been in office since 2015. The Canadian prime minister asked Governor-General Mary Simon to dissolve parliament.

Canada has been battling the virus as Trudeau seeks another term in office for his Liberal party. Trudeau was re-elected to office in 2019 but now heads a minority government in the country.

Trudeau's main challenger, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole denounced Trudeau's decision to call an election amid the pandemic.

Jagmeet Singh, who heads the New Democratic Party (NDP) said the Canadian prime minister's move was a "selfish summer election".

The campaigning for the elections is set to last for 36 days with a fierce battle expected at the ballot next month.

Trudeau said the elections come at a&nbsp;&nbsp;"pivotal, consequential moment".

"We will be taking decisions that will last not just for the coming months but for the coming decades. Canadians deserve their say. That's exactly what we're going to give them," the Canadian PM asserted.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced snap elections on Sunday as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic. "Canadians need to choose how we finish the fight against COVID-19 and build back better - from getting the job done on vaccines, to having people's backs all the way through to the end of this crisis," the Canadian prime minister said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced snap elections on Sunday as the country continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic. "Canadians need to choose how we finish the fight against COVID-19 and build back better - from getting the job done on vaccines, to having people's backs all the way through to the end of this crisis," the Canadian prime minister said. The elections are due to take place on September 20. Prime Minister Trudeau has been in office since 2015. The Canadian prime minister asked Governor-General Mary Simon to dissolve parliament. Canada has been battling the virus as Trudeau seeks another term in office for his Liberal party. Trudeau was re-elected to office in 2019 but now heads a minority government in the country. Trudeau's main challenger, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole denounced Trudeau's decision to call an election amid the pandemic. Jagmeet Singh, who heads the New Democratic Party (NDP) said the Canadian prime minister's move was a "selfish summer election". The campaigning for the elections is set to last for 36 days with a fierce battle expected at the ballot next month. Trudeau said the elections come at a "pivotal, consequential moment". "We will be taking decisions that will last not just for the coming months but for the coming decades. Canadians deserve their say. That's exactly what we're going to give them," the Canadian PM asserted. (With inputs from Agencies)

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau announces snap polls next month