Canadians head to the polls

Canadians are now voting in the country’s third general election in four years and with the global financial crisis looming over the poll.

Canadians are now voting in the country’s third general election in four years and with the global financial crisis looming over the poll.



Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who has headed a minority government since 2006, called the snap poll in a bid to secure a majority in parliament.



Opinion polls have suggested that his party is on course to win but without a majority.



The main challenge comes from the official opposition, the Liberals led by Stephane Dion.



Voter surveys have suggested that market turmoil may have derailed Mr. Harper\'s hopes of securing a majority.



Canada is the first big economic power to go to the polls to elect a new government since the financial crisis.