Mark Carney’s Liberals Win: Canada’s Fight for Independence

On Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberal Party won Canada’s federal election. This victory came after a tough campaign, helped by growing feelings of nationalism due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the Liberals won more seats in the 343-seat Parliament than the Conservative Party, although it’s uncertain if they can govern alone with a majority.

Trump’s Influence on the Election

The election changed when President Trump started attacking Canada online. He questioned Canada’s independence and suggested it could become the 51st state of the U.S. His tweets made many Canadians angry, motivating them to vote. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre responded by saying, “President Trump, stay out of our elections. Canadians will decide our future.”

Taking advantage of the situation, Carney warned voters that “the Americans want to break us.” He emphasized that this was a serious threat to Canada’s independence.

A New Prime Minister and Challenges Ahead

Mark Carney, who used to lead the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, took charge of the Liberal Party after Justin Trudeau stepped down. Trudeau lost popularity due to rising living costs and immigration issues. Carney’s experience and strong statements about standing up to America helped the Liberals gain support.

Before Trump’s comments, Poilievre had made the election about Trudeau’s unpopularity. But Trump’s threats changed everything, pushing more voters to support the Liberals. A record 7.3 million people voted early, showing how passionate everyone was about this election.

Ongoing Issues: Cost of Living and Trade

Even though the Liberals won, Canada still faces major challenges. About 75% of Canadian exports go to the U.S., and any new trade tariffs could hurt the economy badly. Both Carney and Poilievre promised to renegotiate the Canada-U.S. trade deal to ensure stability, but now Carney has the chance to make it happen.

Voter Reactions

On election day, Poilievre and his wife voted in Ottawa. In Mississauga, sisters Laiqa and Mahira Shoaib represented the split opinions among voters. Healthcare worker Laiqa voted for the New Democratic Party, while Mahira, who works at a bank, supported Poilievre because she thinks he’s good for business. Liberal voter Reid Warren voiced concerns about Poilievre: “He sounds like mini-Trump to me. The situation is tense because of the threats from the U.S.”

A Moment of Decision for Canada

The campaign even faced a scare when there was a deadly incident at a Vancouver street fair, which thankfully was not related to terrorism, but it highlighted concerns about safety and economic survival.

This election focused heavily on foreign policy, something not seen so much in Canadian elections since 1988. Voters decided: they want to protect Canada’s independence.