Who won the elections in Canada? Results of faceoff between Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre

When the dust finally settled over Canada’s election night, the big headline was clear: Mark Carney’s Liberal Party beat Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives. But before you imagine champagne showers in Ottawa, there’s a catch – the Liberals won, yes, but without the majority Carney had spent weeks insisting was necessary to manage the growing crisis with Washington.

The Liberals were ahead or elected in 164 districts, a comfortable lead over the Conservatives’ 147, yet still short of the 172 seats needed for full control of the House of Commons. For Carney, a former central banker making his first big political leap, it’s a win with an asterisk. A minority government in Canada, after all, tends to have the life expectancy of Labord’s chameleons – usually lasting less than two and a half years.

Why did Mark Carney win?

Several forces pulled in Carney’s favor, and not all of them were domestic. The sudden reappearance of Donald Trump on the campaign stage, threatening 25% tariffs on Canadian cars and even suggesting Canada should become the “51st state,” triggered a wave of patriotism that shored up Liberal support.

That unexpected boost allowed Carney to frame himself as the only adult in the room capable of standing up to Trump’s economic threats. He leaned heavily on his reputation as a financial steady hand, having led both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. Meanwhile, the Liberals also benefited from an “anybody-but-Conservative” mentality among left-leaning voters and the overdue exit of unpopular former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“It was the Trump tariff factor, the ‘anybody-but-Conservative’ factor, and the Trudeau departure,” said Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, to Reuters, summarizing the unusual cocktail that rescued the Liberals from what had looked like political oblivion just months ago.

How Pierre Poilievre came close

Despite the loss, Poilievre’s Conservatives showed unexpected strength, capitalizing on dissatisfaction with the cost of living, crime rates, and a worsening housing crisis. His domestic focus resonated with many Canadians who, frankly, cared more about making rent than about Trump’s tweets. In fact, Poilievre’s party seemed poised to make major gains in vote-rich Toronto, limiting what could have been a much larger Liberal margin.

But Poilievre also had problems closer to home – literally. As of the last counts, he was trailing in his own Ottawa-area district. Ouch.

What happens now in Canada?

Minority governments in Canada usually mean one thing: negotiations, concessions, and a ticking clock. Carney will have to balance his agenda carefully, likely leaning on smaller parties – even as he faces a much bolder Conservative opposition. The loss of New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, who conceded his own district and announced plans to step down, adds another wrinkle to coalition building.

For Carney, the immediate challenge is to address U.S. threats without sparking economic chaos, all while managing domestic frustrations that fueled the Conservative rise. As for Trump’s wild suggestions about annexation? They appear to have backfired spectacularly – at least for now.

The Liberals have now won four straight elections, a streak unmatched since 2004. But if history holds, Carney’s real battle might not be over. It might just be beginning.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.