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In a remarkable victory in the Canadian election, the Liberals are projected to win more seats than the Conservatives – but it is still unclear if they will secure an outright majority
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Canada’s Mark Carney and his Liberal Party have claimed a remarkable election victory, following a campaign dominated by Donald Trump’s trade war, and in the aftermath of a deadly car-ramming attack in Vancouver.
While it is still unclear whether the party will win an outright majority of the 343 seats in the Canadian parliament, it marks an impressive turnaround given the Conservatives were ahead in the polls by double digits a few months ago. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre even lost his own seat after earlier congratulating Mr Carney on the Liberal’s election win.
In his victory speech in Ottawa, Mr Carney declared that “President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never — that will never, ever happen.”
“We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons,” he said, referring to the American president’s threats to Canada’s economy and its sovereignty, suggesting it should become the 51st state of the US.
At the start of this year, the Liberals looked all but certain to drift to defeat when the country next went to the polls amid growing frustration over their party’s failure to rein-in inflation under Justin Trudeau, with Pierre Poilievre waiting in the wings ready to pounce.
But the inauguration of Donald Trump across the border saw Canadians – angered by the American’s “51st state” rhetoric and imposition of 25 percent tariffs – band together in a surge of patriotism.
They rallied around Mark Carney, backing the experienced economist as the right man to steer them through Trump’s trade war and shunning the right-leaning Poilievre, who suddenly found himself left out in the cold.
Here’s everything Carney has had to say about his American counterpart since succeeding Trudeau earlier this year:
In truth, Mark Carney’s victory owed almost as much to the loud noises-off coming from south of the border as they did to the novice politician’s campaigning skills, Mary Dejevsky writes.
Premier of Ontario Doug Ford has congratulated Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on his election victory and called on “all levels of government to work together to protect Canada” amid the threat of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
In a statement issued today, Mr Ford said: “This election comes at a crucial time for Ontario and for Canada. Workers, families and businesses are navigating the economic uncertainty caused by President Trump’s tariffs and they are counting on all levels of government to work together to protect Canada.”
He added: “As Premier of Ontario, I look forward to working with Prime Minister Carney to protect the workers, businesses and communities of Ontario and Canada.”
Emmanuel Macron has spoken with Mark Carney to congratulate him on his election win.
The French president said he and the Canadian prime minister “reviewed the joint projects between Canada and France, as well as the challenges ahead of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis this June”.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has congratulated Mark Carney on his election victory, and has suggested advancing trade talks between Canada and South America’s Mercosur bloc.
Wishing prosperity to Canada, Lula said in a post on X that Brazil wants to work to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the countries.
“We want to deepen our cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as the promotion and protection of human rights and the fight against climate change,” he said, in a translated post.
“We are interested in advancing negotiations for a trade agreement between Mercosur and Canada to diversify and expand our exchanges.”
The Mercosur bloc includes Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay as well as Brazil, and has had rounds of negotiations over a trade deal with Canada in the past.
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet has said Canada’s election results highlight how “people make the decisions, not polls”.
Mr Blanchet – who is the only main opposition leader to have managed to keep his seat in the country’s parliament – said all of the parties received unexpected results, demonstrating that power “is in the hands of those who vote”.
The BBC reported Mr Blanchet – whose party is projected to lose seats overall – told a press conference following the election: “We’ve got to respect that and never take anything for granted.”
When asked if Canada’s election results were a consequence of Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Mr Blanchet said: “It’s at once the threat from the White House and the very clever use of the fear in the population by the Liberals.”
He continued on tariffs: “If we are patient enough we will prevail in that negotiation. The best way for us to achieve that is through an alliance… If Canada wants to be strong, it also needs us.”
Tensions with the US over trade and sovereignty drove voters away from minor parties in the Canadian federal election, helping to drive the rout of the National Democratic Party.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh announced he would stand down as leader as he lost his seat, with the party expected to cling on to seven seats, down from its previous 24.
The Greens also only won one seat.
Former Conservative prime minister of Canada Stephen Harper has congratulated Mark Carney and his Liberal Party.
Mr Harper highlighted the importance of protecting Canada’s independence.
In the post on X today, he said: “Yesterday’s federal election was the 45th in the proud history of Canada’s democracy.
“I want to extend my sincere congratulations to Prime Minister Carney on the results his party achieved. I wish him, and the government he will lead, success as they navigate our country forward during these challenging times. I also want to congratulate Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party of Canada on making significant gains, both in seats and popular vote, and bringing an entire new generation of Canadians to the Conservative Party.
“To all candidates, campaign volunteers and election workers who participated in this election: thank you for your contribution to our democratic process, one that so many brave Canadians have sacrificed so much to defend. Their legacy is the proud and independent country we must always serve and protect. The True North, Strong and Free.”
Mark Carney has promised to stand up for his country amid trade war with the US president.
But who is the man behind the stunning election win?
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Canada election results live: Carney vows ‘Trump will never break us’ after win – The Independent
