Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has failed in his bid to win a Liberal majority government after a low-energy campaign in the middle of the pandemic, and party insiders see an increasing likelihood that he will step down before the next vote.

Trudeau, 49, called Monday's election two years early seeking to benefit from his government's handling of COVID-19. But provisional results showed he came away with another minority administration, which will once again force him to work with opposition legislators.

Four senior Liberals said there was no sign of a coordinated move to oust Trudeau, who has imposed tight control over a party known for previous bouts of infighting.