Canada's Liberal Party wins election in turnaround seen as reaction to Trump's annexation threats and tariffs

Canada's Liberal Party wins election in turnaround seen as reaction to Trump's annexation threats and tariffs

By Ahmad Mukhtar

Updated on: April 29, 2025 / 9:35 AM EDT / CBS News

Canada's Liberal Party won Monday's federal election, marking a sharp political turnaround seemingly powered largely by the territorial threats and tariff tactics of President Trump.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals were projected to win more of the Canadian Parliament's 343 seats than the rival Conservatives. It wasn't immediately clear if the Liberals would claim an outright majority of at least 172 seats, or if they'd be forced to rely on lawmakers from a smaller party or parties to get new legislation passed.

With the vote on Monday, Canadians decided to give the Liberal Party, now led by Carney, a fourth term in power rather than giving control to the Conservatives and their populist leader Pierre Poilievre, who had been predicted to win the election decisively just months earlier.The Liberal Party's popularity had been declining for years, eventually leading to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation in March, and the Conservatives appeared poised to take control of the federal government — until Mr. Trump intervened. The American president's repeated threats to annex Canada and his sweeping tariffs, which have undermined Canada's economy, dominated the campaign and influenced voters' choices. Immigration, employment, affordability, and crime remained significant domestic issues. "As I have been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country. Never," declared Carney in a victory speech on Monday evening. "These aren't just random threats. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never take place. Calling it a "hinge moment" in history, Carney said Canada's "old relationship with the United States — a relationship based on steadily increasing integration — is over. The system of open global trade, anchored by the United States, a system that Canada has relied on since the Second World War, a system that, while not perfect, has helped deliver prosperity for our country for decades, is over. These are tragedies, but it's also our new reality... We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons. We need to take care of one another and ourselves first and foremost."

Poilievre, a seasoned politician for the Conservatives, lost his parliamentary seat in Ottawa, casting doubt on his continued leadership of the party. Monday's election marked a significant turn of events for the leader, who was first elected to the parliament in 2004.

Poilievre pledged to continue fighting for change in a speech Monday night, despite the blow to his position as party leader. "Every single day, our conservative caucus and I will be holding the government to account on behalf of millions of Canadians who believed in the message of change," Poilievre told his party's supporters.

According to Elections Canada, a record number of Canadians — an estimated 7.3 million — cast their votes in advance, a 25% increase compared to the 2021 elections.

On Monday, a diverse group of voters in Milton City, Ontario, congregated inside a school gym to cast their ballots. While they disagreed about who should deal with Mr. Trump, they were all in agreement that the main concerns they had when casting their votes were the affordability of everyday goods, tariffs, and Canada's sovereignty. Outside of a polling place, a Liberal couple told CBS News, "Trump's decisions are affecting not just Canada but the rest of the world." "The tariffs affected the market; it affected prices of all goods, food, anything."

Opponents cast the Conservatives' leader Poilievre as having similarities with Mr. Trump, which may have cost him the day of the election. The couple in Milton City, who wished to remain anonymous, told CBS News, "A couple of things that, unfortunately, Pierre has come out with which we didn't agree with." The couple told CBS News. "I didn't like that idea," "might sound silly, but the fact that he wants to bring back plastic bags and straws" Peter, one of the voters, said he thought about the sovereignty of Canada while casting his vote. Although he did not specify which party he believed could best address concerns over Mr. Trump's threats to make Canada a "51st state," he stressed the need for Canadian unity.

John Ivsky, a self-employed businessman from Milton, said he considered the election crucial, emphasizing the issue of tariffs. He stated that Canada should seek out additional and diverse global partners.Canada needs to build its own economy and broader partnerships," Ivsky told CBS News. "America should not be the only partner in politics, the military, or the economy. We need partners all over the world, so we don't suffer from one political change in one country."

"I respect and vote for every party that can support family values, conservative values, freedom of speech, and I vote for the one that can reflect my beliefs, whether that's Liberal or Conservative," said Ivsky. "At this point, Conservatives are the ones that can do that." Yesterday, Mr. Trump injected himself once more into the election campaign. In a post on Truth Social, he repeated his idea of making Canada the 51st U.S. state and called on Canadian voters to vote for the person who could make that possible — without naming either political party.

Good luck to the Great people of Canada. Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st State of the United States of America," Mr. On Truth Social, Trump stated. In response to his remarks, Poilievre said Canada would never become the 51st state, and he urged the American president to stay out of Canadian elections.

"President Trump, please don't run for president. In a social media post, Poilievre stated in French, "The only people who will decide the future of Canada are Canadians at the ballot box." "Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will NEVER be the 51st State. Today Canadians can vote for change so we can strengthen our country, stand on our own two feet and stand up to America from a position of strength."

Carney pleaded with voters during his campaign to give him a strong mandate to deal with Mr. Trump.

"President Trump has some obsessive ideas, and that is one," Carney said of the annexation threats. "It's not a joke. He has a vehement desire to see this through. It's one of the reasons why this crisis is so serious."