Canadian PM Carney’s Liberals Win Federal Election

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has projected a victory for Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party in a dramatic federal election that capped a remarkable political turnaround. The win marks the Liberals’ fourth consecutive term in power and solidifies Carney’s leadership just months after he replaced Justin Trudeau as party leader.

The result follows a turbulent campaign overshadowed by economic anxiety, nationalist fervor, and intense cross-border tensions with the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric and threats — including suggestions that Canada could become the 51st American state — sparked a nationalist backlash that appeared to galvanize Liberal support.
Carney Leads Comeback After Trudeau’s Exit

The Liberals had been widely expected to lose the election after Trudeau stepped down earlier this year amid mounting frustration over rising living costs and immigration levels. Carney, a former central bank governor in both Canada and the U.K., was tapped to lead the party in January.

Initially trailing in the polls, the Liberals gained momentum as Trump escalated attacks on Canada's economy and sovereignty, imposing tariffs on Canadian autos and implying the U.S. could sever economic ties. The aggressive posture backfired, stoking a patriotic surge that Carney’s campaign quickly harnessed.

“This was about more than party politics,” Carney said at a victory event in Ottawa. “It was about standing up for Canada.”

While it remains unclear whether the Liberals have won a parliamentary majority, they are on track to secure more of the 343 seats than the opposition Conservatives. A minority government would still allow them to govern, provided they win support from smaller parties.
A Campaign Shaped by U.S. Interference and Nationalist Response

Trump’s repeated comments — including calling Canada "a failed economy" and suggesting annexation — became a central theme in the race. His policies, including sweeping tariffs and public disdain for Canadian institutions, triggered a rare moment of national unity.

A social media slogan, “Elbows Up,” borrowed from hockey culture, became a rallying cry for defiance. Comedian Mike Myers, a vocal critic of Trump’s remarks, appeared alongside Carney in campaign ads donning jerseys reading “Never 51.”

The sentiment resonated with many voters, including Liberal supporter Reid Warren from Toronto: “Poilievre sounds like mini-Trump to me. I don’t want Trump’s chaos imported here.”
Conservative Hopes Falter Amid Trump Turbulence

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre had sought to turn the election into a referendum on Liberal governance, highlighting inflation, housing costs, and immigration. He drew early support from voters disillusioned with Trudeau's record.

But Trump's involvement complicated the Conservative message. Poilievre eventually issued a stern rebuke, saying, “President Trump, stay out of our election. Canada will always be sovereign and NEVER be the 51st state.”

Some voters, like Mahira Shoaib in Mississauga, still backed the Conservatives. “He’s business-minded, and that’s what we need right now,” she said. But many others viewed Trump’s attacks as overreach, consolidating support behind Carney.
Deadly Attack Pauses Campaigning

Campaigning briefly paused Saturday after a deadly car-ramming attack in Vancouver killed several people. Police ruled out terrorism, identifying the suspect as a local man with a history of mental illness.
Election Process and Results

Canada’s federal election system remains paper-based. All ballots are counted by hand at local polling stations, and preliminary results were expected to be available by late Monday.

More than 7.3 million Canadians cast early ballots — a record. Elections Canada said it expects the majority of ballots to be counted on election night, though official results will take days to certify.

Unlike the U.S., Canadians do not vote directly for prime minister. Instead, voters elect 343 Members of Parliament, and the leader of the party with the most seats is asked to form a government.
Looking Ahead

The next government faces immediate challenges: high living costs, strained U.S. relations, and economic uncertainty. Both Carney and Poilievre had pledged to renegotiate the Canada-U.S. trade relationship, but with tensions at a high, such efforts may be fraught.

Trump, however, shows no sign of backing down. On Monday, he posted: “It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!”

As Canadians head into a new political era under Mark Carney, many are hoping that unity will outlast the campaign.