Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has declared victory in the country’s federal elections, sending a bold message of unity at home and defiance abroad — especially to U.S. President Donald Trump. Carney vowed that Canada would “never” surrender to pressure or threats from its southern neighbour.

Speaking early Tuesday after a hard-fought campaign, Carney addressed a deeply divided nation and took direct aim at Trump’s recent tariffs and provocative rhetoric, promising to protect Canada’s land, resources, and sovereignty.

“America wants our land, our water, our country — but we will never be owned. These are not empty threats. This is a real test of our strength,” Carney told cheering supporters. “We must look out for each other now more than ever.”

Carney’s Liberal Party has secured a fourth consecutive term in power, though it remains unclear whether they’ve clinched a parliamentary majority. Canadian networks CTV and CBC project a minority government, with 172 seats needed for full control.

Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party conceded defeat and acknowledged that Carney’s Liberals had done just enough to form a government, calling it a “razor-thin minority.”

At 60, Carney is no stranger to leadership in difficult times. A former central banker with a global résumé, he helped steer Canada through the 2008 financial crisis and later served as governor of the Bank of England during the turbulence of Brexit. This election, however, was his first venture into elected office — and it came at a time of heightened tension with the United States.

Carney’s rise followed the surprise resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in January, amid worsening cost-of-living pressures and internal party unrest. Initially considered the underdog, Carney quickly gained ground as he positioned himself as the steady hand Canada needed to confront what he described as “a new era of American hostility.”

Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs on Canadian goods — including steel, aluminum, auto parts, and possibly even pharmaceuticals and lumber — rattled Canadian businesses and brought the economy close to recession. The moves turned the election into an unexpected referendum on the Canada-U.S. relationship.

With his background in finance, Carney didn’t shy away from the economic challenges. “I know how markets work. I know how governments function in crises,” he said on the campaign trail. “Now I’m putting that experience to work for Canada.”

In his victory speech, Carney emphasized rebuilding Canada's economic independence. He promised investments in local manufacturing, clean and conventional energy, and housing, aiming to reduce the country's dependence on U.S. markets.

While Carney has left the door open to talks with Trump, he’s also taken swift steps to strengthen alliances elsewhere. His first international trip as prime minister wasn’t to Washington, but to Europe, where he met with leaders in France and the UK to discuss deeper economic and security cooperation.

“If we sit down with the U.S., it will be as equals — two sovereign nations. But Canada has other options. We’re not alone,” he declared.

Meanwhile, the opposition Conservatives have pledged to cooperate with the government in defending Canada’s interests. “We will always put Canada first,” Poilievre said, adding that unity is key in the face of Trump’s “irresponsible threats.”

The election also brought a major shake-up for Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), which failed to win enough seats to retain official party status. Party leader Jagmeet Singh lost his seat and confirmed he would step down.

In a gracious message, Singh said: “Mark Carney has an important job ahead — to stand up for every Canadian, and to protect our country from any threat, foreign or domestic.”

As Canada enters a new chapter under Carney’s leadership, many citizens and analysts see him as uniquely equipped to steer the country through what could be a defining moment in its relationship with its most powerful neighbour.



Posted on April 29, 2025
By [ Wafriknews ]