OTTAWA: Prime Minister Mark Carney has led Canada’s Liberal Party to victory in Monday’s national election, according to projections from CBC and other media outlets, following a campaign centered on his ability to confront U.S. President Donald Trump and manage economic turmoil.
Although it remained uncertain whether the Liberals secured a parliamentary majority, Carney’s win ensured a continuation of Liberal governance. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre fell short in his bid to become prime minister, though his party is expected to form a strong opposition bloc.
Trump’s antagonistic stance toward Canada—including trade disputes and inflammatory remarks about annexation, which he reignited on election day via social media—became a central issue of the campaign and galvanized public opinion.
Carney, who took over as prime minister just a month ago following Justin Trudeau’s resignation, had never previously held elected office. He ran a campaign heavily focused on opposing Trump’s rhetoric and policies, leveraging his extensive background as a former central bank governor in both Canada and the UK to build trust among voters.
With a professional history that also includes a successful stint as an investment banker, Carney pledged to diversify Canada’s trade partnerships and reduce reliance on the U.S. economy. His warnings about Trump’s intentions were blunt.
“Donald Trump wants to break us so America can own us,” Carney declared during the campaign. “They want our resources, our water, our land—our country. But they can’t have it.”
Liberal supporters gathered in Ottawa erupted in celebration as the CBC projected a Liberal win. One attendee, 72-year-old Dorothy Goubault, expressed hope that Carney could effectively stand up to Trump.
“Trump’s a businessman. Carney’s a businessman. I think they’ll understand each other,” she said. “And it’s not the 51st state anymore—it’s ‘We are Canada!’”
Trump had previously mocked Trudeau, referring to him as a “governor” and urging Canada to become a U.S. state. With Trudeau gone, supporters believe that narrative will end.
Liberal cabinet member Steven Guilbeault also attributed the election result to backlash against Trump’s comments and actions.
“President Trump’s repeated attacks on our economy, sovereignty, and national identity stirred Canadians into action,” he told CBC. “They saw Carney as someone equipped to respond on the global stage.”
Trudeau’s Exit and the Liberal Comeback
Trudeau’s decision to step down played a key role in reshaping the race. When he announced his resignation on January 6, the Liberals trailed the Conservatives by over 20 points in most polls, driven by public frustration over rising living costs and fatigue from Trudeau’s nearly ten years in office.
Carney, 60, quickly set himself apart from his predecessor. He criticized Trudeau’s economic record and eliminated a controversial carbon tax that had drawn widespread public anger.
Meanwhile, Poilievre, a 45-year-old political veteran, failed to capitalize on Trudeau’s unpopularity. His campaign focused primarily on domestic concerns and downplayed Trump’s influence, a strategy that ultimately did not resonate with enough voters.
At the Conservative election night event in Ottawa, supporter Jason Piche voiced disappointment. “I was really hoping we’d be celebrating tonight,” he said.
Roughly 29 million Canadians were eligible to vote in this election, one of the largest democratic exercises among G7 nations. Advanced voting saw a record 7.3 million ballots cast.
The final composition of Canada’s 343-seat House of Commons is still being finalized, with 172 seats needed for a majority. The Liberals had last held a majority in 2015, governing with a minority since 2019.
