Prime Minister Mark Carney won Canada's election held on Monday, leading his Liberal Party to a new term in power after convincing voters his experience managing crises had prepared him to confront US President Donald Trump. The public broadcaster CBC and other outlets projected the Liberals would form Canada's next government, but it was not yet clear if they would hold a majority in parliament.
Carney’s rival, populist Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, was voted out of his seat in Parliament, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation projected on Tuesday. The loss of his seat representing his Ottawa district capped a swift decline in fortunes for the firebrand Poilievre, who a few months ago appeared to be a shoo-in to become Canada’s next prime minister and shepherd the Conservatives back into power for the first time in a decade.
Carney, who had never held elected office and only replaced Justin Trudeau as prime minister last month, previously served as central bank governor in both Canada and Britain. Trump's trade war and annexation threats outraged Canadians and made dealing with the United States a top campaign issue.
Carney, a 60-year-old former investment banker, anchored his campaign on an anti-Trump message, promising to expand Canada's overseas trading relationships to curb reliance on the United States, a country he said "we can no longer trust." Carney has described the threat of Trump in stark terms. "Donald Trump wants to break us so America can own us," he said during the campaign.
"They want our resources, they want our water, they want our land, they want our country. They can't have it." When the CBC projection was announced, cheers of joy erupted at the Ottawa venue where Liberal supporters were watching the results.
Leaders around the world reacted to the election results in Canada:
European Council President Antonio Costa
He offered “warm congratulations, saying: “We share the same values, and attachment to the UN Charter and the rules-based international order.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
“Congratulations to Mark Carney on your election victory. The UK and Canada are the closest of allies, partners and friends,” Starmer said. “I welcome your leadership on international issues, and I know we will continue to work closely on defence, security, trade and investment.”
French President Emmanuel Macron
“You embody a strong Canada in the face of the great challenges of our time,” Macron said in a social media post, referring to Carney. “France looks forward to further strengthening the friendship that binds our countries.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
“Canada is a valued member of NATO,” Rutte wrote on social media. “I look forward to working together to build an even stronger, fairer Alliance – investing more in defence and ramping up industrial production so we have what we need to stay safe.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof
Schoof said he looks forward to continuing “the close cooperation” between Canada and the Netherlands and to welcoming Carney to the NATO Summit in The Hague in June.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“Congratulations to Prime Minister Mark Carney on your victory,” he said. “In a time of global uncertainty, I look forward to continuing to work with you to build on the enduring friendship between our nations, in the shared interests of all our citizens.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
“India and Canada are bound by shared democratic values, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and vibrant people-to-people ties,” said Modi, whose country’s relations with Canada have been strained recently. “I look forward to working with you to strengthen our partnership and unlock greater opportunities for our people.”
China
China, another country with icy relations with Canada, said it is open to improving ties. “China is willing to develop China-Canada relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiakun said
Source: commonspace.eu with agencies. Photo: AFP
