Mark Carney’s Liberals win Canada election defined by Donald Trump

Australian leaders past and present have celebrated the election of Canada’s Mark Carney in what is seen as a revolt against the ideals of US President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and one of his predecessors Malcolm Turnbull have lead the congratulations from Australia to Canada’s newly elected leader, after Justin Trudeau stepped down.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals will have a minority government in Canada’s next parliament after falling just short of the 172 needed for majority control, the public broadcaster CBC said.

Mr Carney’s party had 169 confirmed seats with two races left to call, a setback for the Liberals, but a result that puts them in strong position to pass legislation, including measures to confront US President Donald Trump.

Mr Albanese tweeted his best wishes shortly after the election results rolled in.

Canada's Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Mark Carney gestures at supporters at a victory party in Ottawa, Ontario. Picture: Dave Chan / AFP

“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,” Mr Albanese wrote.

Congratulations to Prime Minister @MarkJCarney 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.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 29, 2025

Mr Turnbull soon followed suit, complete with a dig at Donald Trump of who he is a vocal critic.

“Congratulations to the people of Canada and thank you for standing up to Donald Trump’s threat to your sovereignty and congratulations to @MarkJCarney certainly the strong leader Canada needs in these turbulent times,” Mr Turnbull wrote.

Congratulations to the people of Canada and thank you for standing up to Donald Trump’s threat to your sovereignty and congratulations to @MarkJCarney certainly the strong leader Canada needs in these turbulent times.

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) April 29, 2025

Canada’s Conservative Party had been on track to win under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre but Mr Trump’s attacks, combined with the departure of unpopular former prime minister Mr Trudeau, transformed the race.

Mr Carney – led the Bank of Canada through the 2008-2009 financial crisis and headed the Bank of England through the turmoil surrounding the 2016 Brexit vote – convinced voters that his experience managing economic crises made him the ideal candidate to defy Mr Trump.

Following a campaign dominated by Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats, Mr Carney promised to chart “a new path forward” in a world “fundamentally changed” by a United States that is newly hostile to free trade.

“We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons,” said Mr Carney.

“We will win this trade war and build the strongest economy in the G7.”

Supporters for Canada's Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Mark Carney celebrate as results are announced during an election party in Ottawa. Picture: AFP

Meanwhile, Mr Poilievre lost his own seat in a surprise shock, but indicated he would seek to stay on as opposition leader.

Conceding defeat on Tuesday, he promised to work with the Liberals to counter Mr Trump.

“We will always put Canada first,” Mr Poilievre told supporters in Ottawa.

“Conservatives will work with the prime minister and all parties with the common goal of defending Canada’s interests and getting a new trade deal that puts these tariffs behind us while protecting our sovereignty.”

British leader Keir Starmer congratulated Mr Carney and said he looked forward to strengthening ties, adding that the two countries are “the closest of allies, partners and friends.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said she anticipated working with Ottawa to “defend our shared democratic values.”

China’s foreign ministry said it was “willing to develop China-Canada relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit.”

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was keen to grow relations with Ottawa and “unlock greater opportunities for our people.”

Canada has accused New Delhi of being involved in the assassination of a Canadian who campaigned for Sikhs to secede from India – a claim which Modi’s government has denied.

TRUDEAU’S DEPARTURE

But the departure of former prime minister Justin Trudeau was also crucial to the Liberal win, which capped one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Canadian political history.

On January 6, the day Mr Trudeau announced he would resign, the Conservatives led the Liberals by more than 20 points in most polls, as voter anger over soaring coasts mounted after Mr Trudeau’s decade in power.

But Mr Carney replacing Mr Trudeau, combined with nationwide unease about Mr Trump, transformed the race.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida Poilievre cast their votes in the federal election in Ottawa, Canada. Picture: The Canadian Press

Mr Carney, 60, distanced himself from Mr Trudeau throughout the campaign.
He said the former prime minister did not focus enough on growing Canada’s economy and scrapped a controversial Trudeau tax on carbon emissions that left many voters seething.

Nearly 29 million of Canada’s 41 million people were eligible to vote in the massive G7 country that spans six time zones.

A record 7.3 million people cast advanced ballots.

Results were still pending on the shape of Canada’s 343 members of parliament, with 172 seats needed for a majority.

The Liberals won a majority in 2015 but have governed with a minority since 2019.

– with AFP

Originally published as Mark Carney’s Liberals win Canada election defined by Donald Trump