Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party won the national election on Monday but is projected to fall short of a majority, according to CTV News. Liberals secured 156 seats, while 172 are needed for a majority in the 343-seat House of Commons. The Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, followed closely with 145 seats.
The outcome leaves the Liberals reliant on smaller parties for support, with final results from British Columbia potentially critical. Minority governments in Canada typically last less than three years.
Polling firm Angus Reid Institute noted three key factors behind the Liberal resurgence: a strong "anybody-but-Conservative" sentiment, U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff threats, and the resignation of unpopular former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trump's recent comments, including a call for Canada to become the "51st state," fueled a surge of patriotism that benefited Carney, a former central bank chief in Canada and the UK.
Carney emphasized his economic credentials to counter Trump’s tariff threats, pledging to invest billions to reduce U.S. dependence. Meanwhile, Poilievre focused on rising living costs, crime, and housing challenges but ultimately failed to capitalize on voter frustration.
The election marks a notable Liberal comeback after trailing the Conservatives by 20 points earlier this year. Trump’s renewed focus on tariffs in the final days of the campaign appeared to sway voters.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp also projected a Liberal victory but has yet to confirm if it will be a minority or majority. Neither the Liberal nor Conservative camps immediately responded to the election forecasts.