Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will lead a minority Liberal government after a historic federal election that reshaped the country’s political landscape and exposed deep tensions about its future relationship with the United States.
With 169 seats secured in the 343-member House of Commons, the Liberals fell three seats short of the 172 needed for a majority but have cemented a fourth consecutive term in power.
This outcome marks a stunning political comeback for the Liberal Party, which had trailed the opposition Conservatives by as much as 25 points earlier this year. The Liberals’ resurgence was fueled by a wave of anti-Trump sentiment, growing fears of U.S. trade aggression, and a dramatic change in party leadership.
What to know about Canada Elections 2025
- Carney’s Liberals will form a minority government, securing their fourth consecutive federal win in a remarkable comeback over Poilievre’s Conservatives.
- Poilievre lost his Ottawa-area riding of Carleton but vowed to “fight” after becoming the third straight Tory leader to fail in toppling the Liberals.
- Jagmeet Singh announced his resignation as NDP leader following a projected loss of more than half the party’s seats.
- Voter turnout reached over 68%, the highest since 1993, according to Elections Canada.
One of the most striking aspects of this election was the record surge in advance voting, with 7.3 million Canadians casting ballots early, up from 5.8 million in 2021. Early voting has become a key strategy for political campaigns, raising questions about whether it will impact overall voter turnout and the effectiveness of party platforms, as many votes were cast before parties finalized their policies.
Mark Carney and the Liberals will form minority government
The Liberals secured a fourth consecutive term, winning 169 seats—three short of a majority. As a minority government, they are expected to rely on the New Democratic Party for parliamentary support.
Carney’s rise followed the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a dramatic shift in public sentiment as U.S. trade threats escalated. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, once the frontrunner, conceded defeat and lost his long-held seat in Carleton, a symbolic blow in a race shaped by nationalist backlash against Trump.
Mark Carney spent his first day back on Parliament Hill holding meetings with key leaders. In addition to speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump, he also had phone conversations with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Bloc leader Yves-Francois Blanchet.
New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh and Green co-leader Elizabeth May both called Carney to offer congratulations following his victory. The left-leaning NDP is expected to provide critical support. The NDP secured seven seats—just enough to push the Liberals past the threshold for parliamentary control. The dynamic echoes the previous Liberal-NDP partnership under Trudeau, though the NDP’s reduced showing and the resignation of its leader, Jagmeet Singh, may complicate future negotiations.
The opposition Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, won 144 seats but suffered a major blow when Poilievre lost his own long-held Carleton seat to Liberal challenger Bruce Fanjoy. Poilievre, once considered the frontrunner, saw his campaign unravel under the pressure of Trump’s trade war and growing fears of U.S. encroachment.
Trump’s Tariffs and Annexation threats dominate elections
The 2025 Canadian federal election will be remembered as a major turning point set in the backdrop of increased tensions with the U.S. amid President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade war threats. Trump, who had imposed sweeping tariffs on Canadian exports, including steel, aluminum, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, has publicly repeated threats to annex Canada as the “51st state.”
“These are not idle threats,” Carney declared in his victory speech in Ottawa. “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never, ever happen.”
Trump’s aggressive stance transformed the race into what many analysts described as a referendum on Canadian sovereignty and identity. The Liberal campaign leaned heavily into this dynamic, presenting Carney as the leader best equipped to confront the crisis.
Carney acknowledged that Canada’s relationship with the United States had fundamentally changed. “Our old relationship with the United States, a relationship based on steadily increasing integration, is over,” he said. “The system of open global trade anchored by the United States … is over. These are tragedies, but it’s also our new reality.”
Despite this sharp rhetoric, Carney confirmed he had spoken with President Trump. Both leaders agreed to meet soon, according to Carney’s office, to discuss future economic and security ties “between two sovereign nations.”
Carney vows defiance as Canada faces Trump’s Tariff offensive
In his victory speech, Carney had issued a dire warning and declared that Canada would “never” yield to U.S. pressure. The election campaign, dominated by Trump’s tariffs and annexation rhetoric, transformed into a referendum on Canada’s independence.
“America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country,” Carney warned in a fiery address to supporters. “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us; that will never … ever happen, but we – but we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.”
Carney led the Liberals to a stunning comeback, convincing voters he was the best candidate to counter the annexation threats posed by President Trump. In his victory speech in Ottawa, he told supporters, “We are over the shock of the American betrayal; we have to take care of each other. Together we will build a Canada worthy of our values. Canada strong, Canada free, Canada forever, vive le Canada!”
Facing down a potential recession and growing trade isolation, Carney has pledged to make Canada more self-sufficient. His plan includes investing in domestic manufacturing, clean energy, and housing to reduce reliance on U.S. supply chains. “We are going to build, baby, build,” he told supporters on election night. “It is a time to be bold, to meet this crisis with the overwhelming positive force of a united Canada.”
World leaders congratulate Mark Carney’s win
Canada’s allies in Europe and elsewhere congratulated Mark Carney and reiterated their joint commitment to democratic values and the rules-based international order.
United States — President Trump congratulated Carney and the two leaders agreed to meet in person soon. The two leaders “agreed on the importance of Canada and the United States working together – as independent, sovereign nations – for their mutual betterment” during their talks, according to the statement from Carney’s office said.
“The US-Canada relationship remains one of the most extensive in the world,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, reading out a statement on behalf of the Trump administration. “We look forward to working with Carney’s government, particularly on key issues such as trade fairness, combatting illegal immigration, halting the flow of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs, and countering the Chinese Communist Party influence in our hemisphere.”
China — China said it is open to improving ties. “China is willing to develop China-Canada relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun said.
EU — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “The bond between Europe and Canada is strong — and growing stronger,” adding that “We’ll defend our shared democratic values, promote multilateralism, and champion free and fair trade.”
European Council President Antonio Costa offered “warm congratulations, saying: “We share the same values, and attachment to the UN Charter and the rules-based international order.”
Australia — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: “Congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney on your victory. In a time of global uncertainty, I look forward to continuing to work with you to build on the enduring friendship between our nations, in the shared interests of all our citizens.”
UK — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated Mark Carney on election victory, saying “The UK and Canada are the closest of allies, partners and friends.” He added: “I welcome your leadership on international issues, and I know we will continue to work closely on defense, security, trade and investment.”
France — French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement: “You embody a strong Canada in the face of the great challenges of our time,” adding that “France looks forward to further strengthening the friendship that binds our countries.”
Ukraine — “We are sincerely grateful for Canada’s principled leadership in supporting Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on social media. “We are confident that our partnership will only grow stronger in our shared pursuit of peace, justice, and security.”
NATO — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte “Canada is a valued member of NATO.” He wrote on social media: “I look forward to working together to build an even stronger, fairer Alliance – investing more in defense and ramping up industrial production so we have what we need to stay safe.”