TORONTO: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party won Canada’s federal election on Monday, capping a stunning turnaround in fortunes fueled by US President Donald Trump’s annexation threats and trade war.
The Liberals are expected to secure more seats than the Conservative Party, though whether they will achieve an outright majority remains uncertain.
Initially poised for defeat, the Liberals gained momentum as Trump launched attacks on Canada’s economy, suggesting the country should become the 51st U.S. state. His comments outraged Canadians, igniting a wave of nationalism that reversed the political landscape and enabled Carney, a former central banker, to lead the party to its fourth consecutive term.
The Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, had hoped to frame the election as a referendum on former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s declining popularity as inflation soared. However, with Trump’s intervention and Trudeau’s resignation, the narrative shifted. On election day, Trump continued to provoke Canadians, stating via social media that he was “on the ballot” and criticizing Canada’s sovereignty.
As Trump’s erratic behavior put the opposition on the defensive, a record 7.3 million Canadians voted early, reflecting heightened civic engagement spurred by the election’s stakes. Carney emphasized the threats posed by American posturing, asserting, “The Americans want to break us so they can own us.”
Despite their electoral success, the Liberals face significant challenges ahead, including escalating U.S. tariffs that threaten Canadian exports and a persistent cost-of-living crisis. With more than 75% of its exports directed to the U.S., the potential fallout from Trump’s tariffs and economic strategies looms large on Canada’s horizon. The election’s focus on foreign policy is unprecedented in recent years, underscoring the tensions in Canada-U.S. relations and the complexities awaiting Carney’s administration.