Canadian media projections indicate that Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has won the Canadian legislative elections. However, preliminary results do not indicate whether the Prime Minister will lead a majority or minority government.
The Prime Minister is poised to lead the Liberals towards a new mandate, having convinced voters that his experience in handling economic crises makes him ready to face the ambitions of US President Donald Trump. Both the public broadcaster CBC and CTV News have predicted that the Liberal Party will form the next Canadian government.
Just a few months ago, the path seemed clear for the return to power of the Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre, after ten years under Justin Trudeau’s leadership. However, Donald Trump’s return to the White House and his unprecedented offensive against Canada, with tariffs and threats of annexation, changed the situation. In Ottawa, where Liberals gathered for election night, the announcement of these early results sparked applause and cheers of excitement. “I’m thrilled, it’s still early but I’m confident we will secure a majority,” said David Lametti, former Minister of Justice.
Trump’s trade war and threats of annexing Canada, reiterated in a social media post on election day, have outraged Canadians and made relations with the United States a key campaign issue.
Carney, who had never held an elected office and replaced Trudeau as Prime Minister just last month, based his campaign on an anti-Trump message. Having previously served as governor of the central banks in both the UK and Canada, he convinced voters that his global financial experience makes him ready to lead the country through a trade war. He promised to expand foreign trade relations to reduce Canada’s dependence on the US.
Speaking to his supporters in Ottawa after the election victory, Carney stated that his country would never forget the “American betrayal.” “Our old relationship with the United States is over,” he said, because “President Trump is trying to break us to own us,” calling on the country to unite in the “difficult months ahead that will require sacrifices.”
‘Conservative Leader Poilievre Loses Seat in Canada’
Canadian Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre lost his seat in the House of Commons to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy, according to CBC’s projections. The news of Poilievre’s defeat in a rural electoral district in the Ottawa area came after his party’s national defeat by Mark Carney’s Liberal Party.
Conservative Leader Promises Unity Against Trump
Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre promised to work with the Liberal government to counter President Trump’s trade war and annexation threats after projections attributed victory to Mark Carney’s party.
“We will always put Canada first,” he told supporters, adding, “Conservatives will collaborate with the Prime Minister and all parties with the common goal of defending Canada’s interests and achieving a new trade deal that leaves these tariffs behind, while protecting our sovereignty.”
European Congratulations: von der Leyen, Costa, and Metsola
“Congratulations to Mark J. Carney and the Liberal Party on their electoral victory. The bond between Europe and Canada is strong – and growing stronger. I look forward to working closely, both bilaterally and within the G7. We will defend shared democratic values, promote multilateralism, and support free and fair trade,” wrote Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
“Warm congratulations to Mark Carney on his election victory in Canada. The EU and Canada have a long and close collaboration. We are allies and strong trade partners. We share the same values and commitment to the UN Charter and the rules-based international order,” wrote Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, emphasizing that cooperation will continue “also within the G7 format.”
President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, congratulated Mark Carney on his election victory. “The long-standing friendship and strategic partnership between the peoples of Europe and Canada will continue to strengthen based on our shared values,” Metsola wrote.
Starmer’s Congratulations
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among the first to congratulate Mark Carney on his election victory in Canada, a Commonwealth country that formally recognizes the sovereigns of the House of Windsor, and now King Charles III, as their head of state.
“The UK and Canada – Starmer writes in a message released by Downing Street – are extremely close allies, friends, and partners. With your leadership and ties in the UK, I know that the relationship between our two countries will continue to grow.”
The Labour Party leader evokes a “partnership based on shared history and values,” committing to work together with the newly elected Canadian Liberal Prime Minister and meet him again soon, “to deepen our economic relationship and ensure security for those working hard in the UK and Canada.”
Carney, a Canadian with Irish family roots, studied economics in England and the US and worked in the City of London for Goldman Sachs. After serving as Governor of the Bank of Canada, he held the same position in the UK at the Bank of England, managing the post-Brexit transition, and also served as an envoy for Boris Johnson’s government in preparation for the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.
He renounced his Irish and UK passports to retain only his Canadian one upon entering politics in his homeland.
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