Canadians head to the polls on Monday for a consequential election that could define the ongoing relationship against a backdrop of fraught relations with the US government.

The return of US President Donald Trump has shaken Canadian politics, potentially swinging what was looking like a likely return to power for the Conservative Party at the start of the year into a toss-up with the incumbent Liberal Party.

With polls tightening, there remains the possibility that no one party will get the majority required to govern outright, which will mean smaller parties will be courted to provide "supply and confidence" — a guarantee to support budget measures and back the government in confidence votes.

Whatever Canadians decide, the next government will need to chart a challenging course, amid tensions with the United States as well as a difficult social and economic picture at home.

Here's what you need to know ahead of Monday's vote:

Canada is a parliamentary democracy, part of the Commonwealth of Nations, and draws many of its political institutions and conventions from the United Kingdom.

Its head of state is the UK monarch Charles III, who is represented by a governor general, currently Mary Simon.

The country has two houses of parliament: An appointed Senate, which is similar to Britain's House of Lords, and........

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