Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon addresses the United Nations General Assembly. Cannon had been campaigning on behalf of Canada, which competed for a seat on the Security Council. (Jason DeCrow/Associated Press)

By CBC News

Canada dropped its bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council after coming behind Portugal in second ballot voting Tuesday in New York.

John McNee, Canada's UN ambassador, made the announcement after a second round of balloting in which Portugal received 113 votes and Canada just 78, both short of the 128 votes required for victory. A two-thirds majority is needed to secure the seat.

Canada competed with Germany and Portugal for one of two two-year seats on the council.

In the first round of voting, Germany earned 128 votes, narrowly passing the two-thirds majority margin necessary to claim one of the two available seats. Portugal was second with 122 votes, and Canada third with 114.

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon spent Thanksgiving weekend campaigning at the United Nations in New York City on behalf of Canada. Earlier Tuesday, Cannon said he was "confident" that Canada's efforts to rejoin the council would be successful.

Canada has been on the Security Council six times, roughly once a decade, since the 1940s. The country's last term ended in 2000.

With files from The Canadian Press

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