Liberals secure 167 seats, set to form minority government amid Trump-era tensions
In a closely watched election that drew global attention, Canada’s Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, has secured a projected 167 seats, just five short of a majority, but enough to retain power with a minority government. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has officially conceded defeat, acknowledging the Liberals’ lead in the final count.
🔴 Liberals Bounce Back Despite Early Trailing
The victory marks a dramatic political turnaround. At the beginning of 2025, the Liberals were lagging nearly 20 percentage points behind the Conservatives in opinion polls. The tide turned after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned in January and geopolitical tensions with the United States, particularly President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, began to shape the national discourse.
🗳️ Final Tally: Liberals 167, Conservatives 145
According to the CBC federal election map:
- Liberals: 167 seats
- Conservatives: 145 seats
- Bloc Québécois: 23 seats
- New Democratic Party (NDP): 7 seats
- Green Party: 1 seat
The Liberal Party’s vote share stood at 43.1%, while the Conservatives garnered 41.7%, reflecting a tight contest.
🧭 Carney’s Vision: A Sovereign Canada
In his victory speech, Prime Minister Carney took a firm stand against American interference, declaring:
“US President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us — that will never ever happen.”
Despite the strong rhetoric, Carney confirmed plans to initiate talks with President Trump in the coming days to ensure diplomacy between “two sovereign and independent nations.”
🏛️ Minority Government Ahead
To achieve a majority in Canada’s 338-member House of Commons, a party needs 172 seats. Falling short by five, the Liberals will need to work with smaller parties such as the NDP or Bloc Québécois to pass legislation.
Conservative leader Poilievre, in his concession, pledged to “hold the minority government to account”, indicating a robust opposition in the next parliamentary session.
🔍 Global Implications
The 2025 Canadian election, held under the shadow of rising U.S.-Canada tensions, is expected to influence not only North American trade dynamics but also foreign policy, climate goals, and international cooperation on digital regulation and national security.
