Earth Science News
DEMOCRACY
Carney's Liberals win Canada election defined by Trump
Carney's Liberals win Canada election defined by Trump
By Michel Comte with Ben Simon in Montreal
Ottawa (AFP) April 29, 2025

Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged Tuesday to beat the United States in Donald Trump's trade war after winning Canada's election and leading his Liberal Party to another term in power.

China responded to Carney's victory saying it was open to improving ties, while the United Kingdom congratulated him and the European Union chief said the bloc will work with him to "champion free and fair trade."

Following a campaign dominated by Trump's tariffs and annexation threats, 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 Carney, who led the central banks of Canada and Britain before entering politics earlier this year.

"We will win this trade war and build the strongest economy in the G7," he said.

Carney's Liberals secured control of Canada's parliament but may fall just short of a majority.

That will require making deals with smaller parties but still marks an extraordinary comeback for the Liberals, who earlier this year looked headed for an electoral wipeout.

Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party had been on track to win the vote but Trump's attacks, combined with the departure of unpopular former prime minister Justin Trudeau, transformed the race.

Carney, who replaced Trudeau as prime minister just last month, convinced voters that his experience managing economic crises made him the ideal candidate to defy Trump.

Poilievre, whose party was on track to form a strong opposition, conceded defeat on Tuesday and promised to work with the Liberals to counter Trump.

"We will always put Canada first," 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 Carney, adding that the UK and Canada are "the closest of allies, partners and friends."

"Our partnership is based on shared history and values... and I look forward to strengthening our ties," Prime Minister Starmer said in a statement.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said she looked forward to working with Ottawa to "defend our shared democratic values, promote multilateralism, and champion free and fair trade."

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

The two countries have had a rocky relationship in recent years, with Ottawa and Beijing currently embroiled in a trade spat over tech and agriculture exports.

- 'We are Canada' -

When the Liberal win was announced, cheers of joy erupted at the Ottawa venue where Liberal supporters watched the results.

"We've got somebody that can speak to Mr. Trump on his level," said Dorothy Goubault, 72.

"Mr. Trump is a businessperson. Mr. Carney is a businessperson, and I think they can both relate."

Liberal lawmaker and a member of Carney's cabinet, Steven Guilbeault, tied the outcome to Trump.

"The numerous attacks by President Trump on the Canadian economy, but not just the economy, on our sovereignty and our very identity, have really mobilized Canadians," he told the CBC.

He said Canadians saw Carney as "someone who has experience with the economy."

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.

- Trudeau's departure -

Trudeau's departure was crucial to the Liberal win, which capped one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Canadian political history.

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

Carney distanced himself from Trudeau throughout the campaign.

He said the former prime minister did not focus enough on growing Canada's economy and scrapped a controversial Trudeau carbon tax that left many voters seething.

For Poilievre, a 45-year-old who has been in parliament for two decades, the outcome marks a stinging defeat.

He was criticized for the at-times muted anger he directed towards Trump, but said he wanted to keep the focus on domestic concerns.

He tried to persuade voters that Carney would simply offer a continuation of the failed Liberal governance.

At the Conservative watch party in Ottawa, Jason Piche told AFP he was surprised by the result.

"I was hoping to have a big celebration tonight," Piche said.

Related Links
Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
DEMOCRACY
Hong Kong releases former opposition lawmakers jailed for subversion
Hong Kong (AFP) April 29, 2025
Several former Hong Kong opposition lawmakers jailed in the city's largest national security case were released on Tuesday after over four years in prison, the first among dozens convicted last year to regain their freedom. Ex-legislators Claudia Mo, Jeremy Tam, Kwok Ka-ki and Gary Fan were part of a group of 47 public figures - including some of Hong Kong's best-known democracy advocates - were charged with subversion in 2021 for holding an informal primary election. The case fell under a nat ... read more

DEMOCRACY
Explosion in northern China housing complex kills one, injures 21

Myanmar junta lets post-quake truce expire

France adopts major new bill to combat drug-related crime

Millions of children to suffer from Trump aid cuts

DEMOCRACY
Microsoft reports strong results driven by cloud and AI; Urges fast 'resolution' of transatlantic trade issues

NASA develops flight-ready aerogel antennas for next-gen airspace communications

British Steel abandons job cut plans after govt rescue

Meta to start using Europeans' data for AI training May 27

DEMOCRACY
New Zealand, Phillippines sign troops deal in 'deteriorating' strategic environment

Canadian firm makes first bid for international seabed mining license

Dead salmon create election stink on Australian island

Mexico agrees to send water to US after Trump threatens tariffs

DEMOCRACY
Thawing permafrost dots Siberia with rash of mounds

Summer 2024 was Lapland's warmest in 2,000 years: study

Ice cores from tropics challenge Holocene temperature models

Melting glaciers at the end of the Ice Age may have sped up continental drift, fueled volcanic eruptions

DEMOCRACY
Elitist no more, caviar is turning casual

Climate change takes spice from Indonesia clove farms

Less-thirsty rice offers hope in drought-stricken Chile

Iraq farmers turn to groundwater to boost desert yield

DEMOCRACY
Philippine typhoon victims remember day Pope Francis brought hope

Researchers solve one of Earth's ancient volcanic mysteries

Myanmar marks month of misery since historic quake

Hundreds of buildings damaged, dozens injured in 6.3 Ecuador quake

DEMOCRACY
Sudan paramilitaries shell famine-hit camp, kill over 20

Paramilitary shelling hits Sudan's presidential palace: army source

Sudan paramilitaries kill at least 165 in Darfur city over 10 days: activists

Evacuation of DR Congo troops from M23 zone begins

DEMOCRACY
Sunscreen and shelter strategies may have shielded early humans from solar radiation

'Toxic beauty': Rise of 'looksmaxxing' influencers

'Toxic beauty': Rise of 'looksmaxxing' influencers

A visual pathway in the brain may do more than recognize objects

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.