It was Canada's second-consecutive defeat in a bid for a seat and an especially big blow to Trudeau.

Trudeau blamed the loss on Canada's late start in campaigning for the seats.

Norway and Ireland had declared their candidacies for the seats well before Trudeau was elected in 2015, after which he announced Canada's intention to run.

Trudeau tried to sell Canada's bid by noting that the multilateral system is challenged by large countries withdrawing their support for engagement on the world stage.

Trudeau actually finished with fewer votes than Canada's previous prime minister, Conservative Stephen Harper, received in 2010.