The last two governments have been minority governments, elected under Canada's first past the post voting system. The national Parliament in Ottawa is currently dominated by four parties, three of which enjoy a strong regional base, concentrating their vote and allowing them to win seats out of all proportion to their support nationally. This regional concentration - a product of the first past the post voting system - has effectively "balkanised" Canada, despite the fact that all parties (other than the Bloc) enjoy significant voter support nationally.
The prospect of an election has been raised by the (minority) governing Conservative party rising to 39% in the polls as compared to 30% for the Opposition Liberal Party. At that level, they have a realistic prospect of winning a majority of seats and forming a government - despite the fact that 61% of Canadians do not want them to be the government.
That's First Past the Post for you: one party governments most people DON'T want.
Long live MMP.
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