Canadian PM wins polls, but loses majority

In the closest federal election in years, Martin, 65, confounded pollsters and pundits with a better than expected showing, which marked the centrist party's fourth consecutive win at the polls.

But battling voter fatigue after a decade in power for the Liberals, he fell short of the unqualified personal endorsement he craved, after taking over from former Prime Minister Jean Chretien last December.

"Canadians expect more from us. As a party and a government we must do better," said Martin, who made extra funding of the state healthcare system the centrepiece of his campaign.