Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has strengthened his grip on power, securing a stronger mandate to confront US President Donald Trump after a wave of floor crossings and a pair of special election victories boosted the Liberal Party to a narrow majority government.
The Liberals were projected to gain two additional seats, according to CNN-affiliate CBC News, taking the party to 173 seats in the House of Common, just one above the threshold required for a majority. A third closely contested race in Quebec, previously decided by a single vote, remains too close to call.
The gains follow a period of political movement in Parliament, with five opposition MPs switching allegiance over the past five months, further strengthening Carney’s position.
The new majority is expected to give Carney greater stability to advance his agenda, which has focused heavily on responding to Trump’s tariff policies and repeated suggestions of economic pressure on Canada, while also reducing the country’s dependence on its southern neighbour.
Since taking office last March following the resignation of former leader Justin Trudeau, Carney has emerged as a prominent international critic of Trump’s “America First” approach, warning of growing risks to the global rules-based order and urging cooperation among middle powers in a widely noted World Economic Forum address.
Carney has said his approach to Trump is one of “respect but not obsequiousness,” adding in remarks cited by CBC News that while the US president is often more open in private discussions, “it’s not easy, to be clear.”
Trump’s rhetoric toward Canada has also fuelled a wave of domestic unity, with some Canadians boycotting US travel and products in response to what is widely seen as a deterioration in relations between the long-standing allies.
At a recent Liberal Party convention, Carney referenced Trump’s threats to make Canada the 51st state, saying: “United, we will build Canada strong, a Canada for all, a Canada strong that no one can ever take away.”
However, his push for a majority has also drawn internal criticism, with some Liberals questioning whether the inclusion of defecting opposition MPs could dilute the party’s values, particularly on socially sensitive issues.
via BBC
