Canada’s Liberal Party, under the leadership of newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney, has secured a fourth consecutive term in Canada’s federal election. The Liberals won 167 seats, followed by the Conservatives with 145, but fell short of the 172 seats needed for a parliamentary majority in the 343-seat House of Commons.
The election was defined by an escalating confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump, whose provocative rhetoric, including repeated calls for Canada to become the United States’ 51st state and threats of increased tariffs, triggered a backlash among Canadian voters. Carney, a former central banker who assumed leadership after Justin Trudeau stepped down earlier this year, positioned himself as a defender of the country’s sovereignty and economy, contributing to a stunning turnaround for the Liberals, who had been trailing in the polls at the start of the year.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, who ran on domestic issues like housing and inflation, faced criticism for aligning too closely with Trump’s populism. Despite conceding defeat, Poilievre noted that the Conservatives had increased their number of seats by more than 20.
The Liberals now face the challenge of forming a stable government, and with no majority, they may need to partner with smaller parties. The New Democratic Party (NDP), which supported the previous Liberal minority government, suffered heavy losses and leader Jagmeet Singh announced his resignation after losing his seat. The separatist Bloc Québécois appeared to finish third and could play a role in shaping the next Parliament.
