Why was Stephen Harper’s government formed in 2006 called a minority government?

Stephen Harper’s government, formed in 2006, was called a minority government because his party did not secure a majority of seats in the House of Commons during the federal election.12

In the January 2006 election, the Conservative Party won 124 seats. Because this total was less than the number required to hold a majority of the seats in the House of Commons, the administration had to govern as a minority, meaning it needed the support of other political parties to pass legislation and survive votes of confidence.13