Conservatives win vote with bolstered minority

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper won reelection with a significantly stronger minority government and called yesterday for unity in staring down global financial crisis.

The Conservative leader came just 10 or 12 votes short of a majority in the 308-seat Parliament but both he and Liberal opposition leader Stephane Dion reached out in recognizing the seriousness of the economic challenges facing Canada.

"This is a time for us all to put aside political differences and partisan considerations and to work cooperatively for the benefit of Canada," Harper, 49, told a victory celebration in his home town of Calgary.