Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has retained power in a closely fought election, but fell short of securing a majority in Parliament, leaving his government reliant on smaller parties for support.
With votes still being counted, the Liberals were leading or elected in 164 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons, while Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives followed with 147. A majority requires 172 seats.
Poilievre conceded defeat and pledged that his party would hold the minority government accountable.
In his victory address, Carney struck a defiant tone, warning that Canada is at a “hinge moment” in its relationship with the United States. “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us—that will never ever happen,” he declared.
Carney accused the US of betrayal, stating: “Our old relationship of integration with the US is now over.” He promised a pivot toward strengthened partnerships with European and other global allies, adding that he and Trump would soon meet to “discuss the future of two sovereign and independent nations.”
Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, attributed the Liberal win to three factors: anti-Conservative sentiment, Trump’s tariff threats, and the departure of unpopular former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which brought disillusioned left-of-centre voters back to the party.
The result marks a dramatic turnaround for the Liberals, who were trailing by 20 points in January before Trudeau’s resignation and rising US hostility changed the political climate.
Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland, whose cabinet clash with Trudeau led to his resignation, called the outcome “an outstanding result,” saying: “People were even talking about whether we would retain official party status. Tonight, we’re forming government.”
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