In a remarkable display of resilience, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has successfully staged a political comeback, securing power once again in the recent parliamentary elections.
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The outcome of this vote was significantly influenced by a public backlash against US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his provocative remarks about making Canada the 51st state. As the nearly complete vote count rolled in, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation projected that the Liberals will form a solid minority government, falling just shy of the 172 electoral districts required for an outright majority.
Preliminary results from Elections Canada revealed that the Liberals clinched 169 districts, followed closely by the Conservative Party with 144 seats.
Though Mr. Carney may not have achieved a majority, he finds himself in a politically secure position; it would require a united opposition to unseat him, especially with two of his main rivals facing significant challenges. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, once seen as a strong contender, notably lost his seat in Ontario.
Meanwhile, Jagmeet Singh announced his decision to step down as the leader of the left-leaning New Democrats after failing to secure re-election in British Columbia, resulting in a significant loss for his party’s MPs.
As Mr. Carney sought a majority to strengthen negotiations with President Trump regarding tariffs that threaten Canada’s economic stability, Trump congratulated him shortly after the election results were announced. The Prime Minister’s office issued a statement highlighting the leaders’ consensus on the importance of Canada and the United States collaborating as independent, sovereign nations for their mutual benefit. They have agreed to meet in person soon.
According to the Globe and Mail, citing a senior Liberal official, Mr. Carney is expected to announce his cabinet and reconvene the House of Commons within two weeks. Another primary focus will be the annual budget, typically revealed in March or April.
Throughout his campaign, Mr. Carney emphasized that Trump desired to destabilize Canada, reiterating his commitment to initiating discussions on enhancing security and economic ties with the US shortly after the election.
The Liberals, having held power since November 2015, appeared to be trailing in polls by as much as 20% in January. However, the resignations of the unpopular Justin Trudeau and growing tensions with Trump sparked a shift back toward the party. Shachi Kurl, President of the Angus Reid Institute polling firm, noted, “It was the ‘anybody-but-Conservative’ factor, it was the Trump tariff factor, and then it was the Trudeau departure… which enabled a lot of left-of-centre voters and traditional Liberal voters to come back to the party.”
As Liberal supporters celebrated the election results in Ottawa, Mr. Carney delivered an impactful victory speech, stating, “The system of open global trade anchored by the United States… which has helped deliver prosperity for our country for decades, is over. These are tragedies, but it’s also our new reality.” He acknowledged that the upcoming months would be challenging and require sacrifices.
Among the lingering challenges, Mr. Carney must address the concerns voiced by Danielle Smith, the conservative premier of Alberta, who criticized the Liberals for undermining national unity with climate policies perceived as detrimental to the energy sector. In her statement, she expressed, “A large majority of Albertans are deeply frustrated that the same government that overtly attacked our provincial economy almost unabated for the past 10 years has been returned to government.”
In his concession, Mr. Poilievre stated that his party would continue to hold the government accountable. Mr. Carney had promised a firm stance against Washington’s import tariffs, asserting Canada would need to invest significantly to reduce its dependency on the US.
Interestingly, the right-of-centre Conservatives displayed surprising strength during this election.
Minority governments in Canada typically face challenges to remain in power beyond two-and-a-half years. President Trump’s aggressive rhetoric seemed to spur a wave of patriotism that buoyed Mr. Carney’s campaign. Notably, Trump had threatened a potential 25% tariff on Canadian-made cars and even toyed with the idea of using “economic force” to annex Canada.
In this complex political landscape, Mr. Carney has positioned himself as the experienced leader capable of navigating economic issues and confronting the US president. Meanwhile, Mr. Poilievre has tapped into voter concerns around rising living costs, crime, and the ongoing housing crisis.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
