Liberals secure fourth term amid Trump's divisive influence
The Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) won the federal House of Commons election on Monday, according to preliminary data from Elections Canada. For the first time in 114 years, the Liberals will govern for a fourth consecutive term. Donald Trump was opposed to the Liberals.
Incumbent Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has been the leader of the Liberals since March 9 and ran for parliamentary elections for the first time, won in his Ottawa riding of Nepean.
Canadians elected 343 parliamentarians in single-member districts. A majority government requires 172 seats. About 11:20 PM Eastern Time, roughly 20 minutes after the last polling stations closed in British Columbia and Yukon, media began announcing that, according to estimates, the Liberals would again form the government. Two hours later, it was still unclear whether it would be a majority or minority government. Commentators on CBC noted that the electoral contest largely took place between two parties—the Liberals and the Conservatives—similar to the situation in the U.S.
The Trump effect in Canadian politics
By the end of December 2024, the Conservative Party had about a 25 percentage point lead over the Liberals. After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his decision to resign in January, Liberal ratings began to rise. The attacks by U.S. President Donald Trump helped solidify their position, and the election of Mark Carney, former governor of the central banks of Canada and the UK, as the new leader of the party was well-received by voters. By the second half of March, the ratings of the LPC were higher than those of the Conservatives. The shift in Canadian politics was also noted by Marek Wałkuski, the Washington correspondent for Polish Radio.
As commented on election night for CBC by former Liberal Justice Minister David Lametti, such a change could not have been expected as of December. Former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland emphasized that she is "thrilled with the party's return" at a critical moment for the country.
In the past two years, much has been said in Canada about attempts to influence elections by countries like Russia, China, and India. However, in recent weeks, the loudest noise was about attempts made by the U.S. president. Just on Monday, Trump appealed on social media for Canadians to choose a person who would have the "strength and wisdom" to join the country to the United States.
The biggest losers of the election were the left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP), which, according to preliminary data from Elections Canada, sent seven or eight representatives to parliament, more than half less than in the previous term. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh announced during election night that he would step down from his position.
The Canadian Senate is not elected; senators are appointed by the prime minister and formally appointed by the governor general, representing the British monarch. Canada is a constitutional monarchy.
