Canada's anti-Trump Brexit-bashing new PM Mark Carney WINS snap election amid ‘51st state' and tariffs threat
Annabel Bate, Foreign News Reporter
Published: Invalid Date,
CANADA'S anti-Trump, Brexit-bashing new Prime Minister Mark Carney has won the slap election in a stunning reversal of fortune.
Canadians have decided who will respond to US President Donald Trump 's tariffs threats, including his desire to make Canada the 51st US state.
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Forecasters quickly called that Carney's Liberals would form the next government after polls closed in vote-heavy Ontario and Quebec.
It is not yet clear whether that will be a majority or minority - they need 172 seats to rule outright.
Victorious Carney took over from former leader Justin Trudeau when the Liberals had been tanking in polls.
Carney's election as leader and Trump's threats reversed that polling decline and the Liberals' support skyrocketed.
The former central banker called a snap election and managed to keep that support during the campaign as he has consistently vowed to resist Trump's threats to make Canada the 51st state of America.
And, having been a governor of the Bank of England, in many voters eyes, Carney understands what it takes to remain diplomatic which could come in handy in future crunch talks with the US President.
His seven-year term at the Bank became known however for his failed attempts to stop Britain from voting leave in the European Union in the 2016 referendum.
Carney's main opponent in the race has been Conservative leader Pierre Poilevre.
At the start of the year, Poilevre was seen as the candidate that will end 10 years of Liberal rule with his relatable and snappy Trump-approach to public speaking.
Voters were also desperate to boot out Trudeau following a tenure marred by scandal and public outcry.
Trump's tariff 'chaos' explained as global trade war escalates
But when Trump slapped brutal aluminium and steel tariffs on the nation, the voting focus shifted for many Canadians.
Conservative strategist Dan Roberts told The Telegraph: " Donald Trump was like a nuclear bomb going off on the Canadian political landscape.
"It just levelled everything."
Earlier, as Canadians went to polling stations, the Don wished Canadians "good luck" - while painting a picture for voters of what their country could look like as the "cherished 51st state of the United States of America".
Trump posted to Truth Social: "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.
"No more artificially drawn line from many years ago. Look how beautiful this land mass would be. Free access with NO BORDER. ALL POSITIVES WITH NO NEGATIVES. IT WAS MEANT TO BE!
"America can no longer subsidize Canada with the Hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year that we have been spending in the past. It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!"
Last month, when Canada's Parliament was dissolved after the bombshell election call, Liberals had 152 seats and the Conservatives 120.
The remaining seats were held by the Bloc Quebecois with 33, the New Democrat Party with 24, and two with the Green Party.
At a rally at Toronto airport on Saturday, Carney kept his message clear and concise for his followers - warning of the threat from Trump.
He said: "President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us.
"And well, that will never happen."
Rival Poilevre tended to communicate a message of change - attracting many younger Canadian voters who are facing issues at the hands of the country's economy, like getting on the housing ladder.
His rallies, that often attract thousands, had many voting experts questioning whether initial polls could have been underestimating his popularity across the country.
Poilevre told supporters in British Columbia over the weekend: "We can't afford four more years of the Liberals."
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The final days of campaigning for leaders was overshadowed by harrowing tragedy when 11 people were killed after a man drove a car into a crowd at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver on the weekend.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, is charged with eight counts of second degree murder, although cops say "further charges are anticipated".
The force insisted that the incident was not being treated as a terrorist attack.
The Lapu Lapu Festival commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century.
Canada 's New Democracy Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh - who was at the event before the horror incident unfolded - said he was "horrified to learn" of "innocent people" being killed and hurt.
He added: "As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver's Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience."
The NDP had made a campaign stop at the Lapu Lapu Day block party.
Carney said on Saturday night: "I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening."
Conservative Poilievre described being shocked by the "horrific news".
He said: "My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack."
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