Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared victory early Tuesday after a dramatic federal election campaign defined by trade tensions and sovereignty threats from US President Donald Trump.
Speaking from the Liberal Party headquarters in Ottawa, Carney pledged to defend Canada’s sovereignty and unite the nation, vowing that Canada would “never” yield to American pressure.
“As I have been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country. But these are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us,” Carney said. “That will never ever happen.”
The Liberal Party has secured a fourth consecutive term in government. While it remains unclear whether Carney has won a majority, early projections from CTV indicate a likely minority government.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre conceded defeat, acknowledging Carney’s path to forming a government.
Carney’s victory speech sent a strong message to voters anxious over Canada’s increasingly strained relationship with the United States.
“We are over the shock of the American betrayal but we should never forget the lessons,” he said. “We have to look out for ourselves. And above all we have to take care of each other.”
Throughout the campaign, Carney positioned himself as the experienced centrist needed to steer Canada through economic and political turbulence.
The former central banker, who had never previously held political office, campaigned on making Canada more self-reliant in the face of Trump’s escalating tariffs on steel, aluminium, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals.
Carney has pledged to invest in domestic manufacturing, energy, and housing projects to reduce Canada’s dependence on US trade. He has also begun strengthening economic and security ties with European allies, marking a significant shift in Canada’s foreign policy focus.
While Carney has not ruled out talks with President Trump, he said any discussions would take place “between two sovereign nations” and emphasised that Canada has “many other options” to build future prosperity.
Meanwhile, the Conservative Party under Poilievre has committed to cooperating with the new government in defending Canada’s interests.
“We will always put Canada first as we stare down tariffs and other irresponsible threats from President Trump,” Poilievre said.
