Analysis
Canada’s anti-Trump election result defines the nation’s identity
One of the central issues of this campaign have been the threats coming from south of the border, the longest unprotected border in the world, with Trump calling Canada the ‘51st state.’
Canada has spoken, and has done so with a voice that stands out from the global chorus. In Tuesday’s federal elections, the Liberals led by Mark Carney emerged as the winner for the fourth consecutive time. In a political climate fraught with international tensions, the voters' response was clear: defend Canadian sovereignty in the face of economic and rhetorical pressure from Donald Trump's United States.
According to the provisional results (counting is manual and the final results will take a few days), the Liberals, a center-left party, won the most seats, overtaking Pierre Poilievre's center-right Conservatives. However, it looks like they will not have an absolute majority in Parliament, and will have to make deals with other parties to form a government, such as the New Democratic Party (NDP) representing the Canadian left, or the Bloc Quebecois, Quebec's secessionist party, which have both lost many seats.
Mark Carney, 59, is an atypical figure in Canadian politics. A former governor of the Bank of Canada and then of the Bank of England, after a previous career at Goldman Sachs, followed by another stint at the mega-investment fund Brookfield, he is internationally known for his commitment to sustainable finance and combating climate change. He did not enter politics until 2024, winning the leadership of the Liberal Party after Justin Trudeau's resignation. His campaign focused on competence, a serious approach to economics and national independence, winning the trust of a large segment of the moderate electorate.
In his victory speech, Carney spoke of the necessity of sacrifices and acknowledged that Canada is going through “dark days” because of tensions with the United States, stressing that overcoming this crisis will require unity and determination on the part of all Canadians, without ever giving up the kindness and humility that distinguish the country's culture. “The coming days and months will be challenging,” Carney said. “We are facing the biggest crisis of our lifetimes … We will need to think big and act bigger. We will need to do things previously thought impossible at speeds we haven’t seen in generations."
One of the central issues of this campaign have been the threats coming from south of the border, the longest unprotected border in the world, with Trump calling Canada the “51st state,” followed by tariffs on steel, aluminum and lumber, of which the U.S. is Canada's largest buyer. As voting was underway on Tuesday, Trump confirmed that the 25 percent tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts will remain in place, although automakers will not be subject to the additional 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, with refunds to be issued to automakers who have already paid the double tariffs. This is because the auto industry in North America is highly integrated between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and hitting Canadian cars could have hurt U.S. manufacturers as well.
The Canadian reaction has been strong across the political spectrum: both Carney and Poilievre condemned the U.S. interference, but it was Carney who managed to turn the defense of Canadian sovereignty into a real pillar of his platform. His simple but powerful message – “Canada won't sell out and won't fold” – struck a deep chord in the hearts of the electorate, who preferred it to Poilievre's promises: “For an affordable life. For safe streets. For Canada First,” with a campaign characterized by populist rhetoric and a Trump-like approach. Poilievre even lost his historic Carleton constituency seat in the Ottawa area, which he had held for seven consecutive terms since 2004. He was defeated by Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy, a local businessman and activist.
Jagmeet Singh, leader of the NDP, also lost his seat in Burnaby Central, British Columbia, where he finished third. His defeat came with one of the worst results by the New Democratic Party in its recent history, leading to a drastic reduction of its seats in Parliament and Singh's resignation as party leader.
These defeats marked a significant shift in the Canadian political landscape, highlighting a growing dissatisfaction with traditional leaders and a preference for new technocrat figures like Carney.
However, with a divided Parliament, Carney will now have his abilities put to the test, not only as an economist but also as a political leader able to build support. The coming months will be crucial for dealing with the repercussions of U.S. tariffs and the global economic slowdown, but also with the growing geopolitical pressure on Canada as a strategic ally between the U.S. and Europe.
This vote did not just choose a government: it defined an identity. In a world where the far right is on the rise, from Europe to Latin America, Canadians are standing tall and saying no to Trump's bullying language and actions, reaffirming with great force their desire for independence, moderation and respect at the international level. Against this backdrop, Mark Carney comes to view as the face of a sober but assertive Canada: a country ready to stand up for itself, without spectacle, but also without bowing down in the slightest.
Originally published at https://ilmanifesto.it/schiaffo-americano-il-canada-sceglie-carney-lanti-trump on 2025-04-30