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Canada Election: Mark Carney's Liberal Party falls short of majority

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney waves after his speech at his campaign headquarters after the Liberal Party won the Canadian election in Ottawa, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (Justin Tang//The Canadian Press via AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney waves after his speech at his campaign headquarters after the Liberal Party won the Canadian election . Picture: Alamy

By Ella Bennett

Mark Carney's centre-left Liberal Party has won the Canadian election with enough seats to form a minority government, falling just short of a majority, CBC projects.

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The Liberal Party won the election after a surge in its fortunes fuelled by resistance to US President Donald Trump’s economic pressure and threats to annex the country.

Although the party fell short of achieving a majority, the result nevertheless represents a remarkable turnaround in the centre-left Liberals’ fortunes.

At the start of the year the centre-right Conservatives had opinion poll leads in excess of 20 points but the resignation of prime minister and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and Mr Trump’s desire to turn Canada into the 51st US state triggered a dramatic change.

After his party won Mr Carney said: “America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country. These are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never … ever happen.”

Read more: Mark Carney hits out at Trump for 'trying to break us' as he storms to victory in Canada's election

Read more: 'It's crazy': Mark Carney says Canada will 'never be 51st US state', as he is sworn in as PM after Trump threats

President Trump Departs The White House En Route To Michigan
Trump's comments about making Canada a US state upset many Canadians . Picture: Getty

Sir Keir Starmer said he wants to deepen the UK’s relationship with Canada as he congratulated Mark Carney on his victory in the country’s election.

In a message congratulating Mr Carney, Sir Keir said: “The UK and Canada are the closest of allies, partners and friends. With your leadership, and personal ties to the UK, I know the relationship between our two countries will continue to grow.

“Our partnership is based on shared history and values, with a shared sovereign, and I look forward to strengthening our ties following our successful meeting in Downing Street last month.

“We will work together to deepen our economic relationship to deliver security for hardworking people in the UK and Canada – which we were both elected to do.”