ST. JOHN’S — Newfoundland and Labrador’s Liberals and Progressive Conservatives are locked in a tight race after an election campaign that saw them sparring over the fate of a multibillion-dollar energy deal.

Within 30 minutes after the polls closed, the governing Liberals and the Tories were jockeying for first place, trading the lead a few times as the early results came in. A total of 21 seats is needed for a majority in the 40-seat legislature.

The Liberals, led by 47-year-old lawyer John Hogan, say the proposed agreement between Hydro-Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro could deliver economic salvation to the financially fragile province by injecting $225 billion into the treasury over 50 years.

The Liberal leader, whose party is seeking a fourth consecutive term, has said t

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