Carney's victory in Canada can actually be considered historic

An election held amid unprecedented turmoil caused by Trump has resulted in a truly dramatic win

- DEEPANSHU MOHAN

Mark Carney's Liberal Party victory in Canada's federal elections may well be remembered as one of the biggest political turnarounds in electoral history. A year ago, Canada's political landscape seemed to favour the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre. The seat tally in Canada's House of Commons gives the Liberals a fourth consecutive term in power, as they're within a whisker of the 172-seat majority mark, with the Conservatives lagging by two-dozen seats.

Carney's steady, policy-driven campaign reassured voters at a time of turmoil brought about by US President Donald Trump's hostile rhetoric, trade threats and talk of annexation, which fuelled fears over Canadian sovereignty. His message resonated strongly even in non-Liberal provincial holds like Quebec, where Liberals secured almost half the seats, outdoing the Bloc Québécois.

Carney now faces the tough task of leading a rattled country facing high inflation, housing pressures and global instability.

Trump effect: Trump's attitude towards Canada played a critical role in shaping Carney's campaign. US tariff policy and threats of economic disengagement deeply impacted Canadian households, especially in border provinces. Canada-US relations were thus a pressing issue in these polls. Economic anxieties were worsened by rising prices and stagnant wages, as many Canadians struggled to make ends meet.