Canada goes to the polls

Canadians today began voting in an election in which Prime Minister Stephen Harper appears poised to retain his job but fail in a bid to bolster his power.

Polls and pundits are predicting another minority government for the Conservative leader.

Mr Harper, who has had a tenuous hold on power since the 2006 election and is forced to rely on the opposition to pass legislation, called the vote in hopes of winning the 155 seats needed for a majority in the 308-seat Parliament.