Canada has elected its third consecutive minority government, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives returning to Ottawa with a strengthened mandate.

As of Wednesday morning, the Conservatives were elected or leading in 143 ridings, up from 124 in the last Parliament.

The Liberals fell to 76 from 103, the NDP gained eight to 37, and the Bloc Quebecois lost one to 50.

None of the candidates interviewed by Investment Executive, were successful in their bids for seats in the House of Commons.

Brent Fullard, Liberal candidate in the Ontario riding of Whitby-Oshawa, lost to Conservative incumbent and Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty.

Joe Oliver, former president and CEO of the Investment Dealers Association of Canada and Conservative candidate in the Ontario riding of Eglinton-Lawrence, placed second and failed to unseat Liberal incumbent Joe Volpe.

Adrian Visentin, Green candidate in the Ontario riding of Vaughan, placed fourth, as Liberal incumbent Maurizio Bevilacqua was re-elected.

Tim Robson, NDP candidate in the Alberta riding of Wetaskiwin, came in second to Conservative incumbent Blaine Culkins.

Diana Cabott, Liberal candidate in the British Columbia riding of Kelowna-Lake Country, placed third trailing the NDP candiate and re-elected Conservative encumbent Ron Cannan.