Carney takes aim at Trump, promises ‘humility’ in victory speech

OTTAWA — Fresh off his election win, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is at a “hinge” moment in its history as he promised to build relationships with countries other than the United States and to build up housing and new trade and energy corridors.

“We will need to do things previously thought impossible at speeds we haven’t seen in generations,” Carney told a cheering crowd of Liberal supporters at the party’s election night event in Ottawa.

Carney vowed to stand firm against U.S. President Donald Trump, who has levied tariffs against Canada and made threats targeting Canada’s sovereignty.

“As I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country,” he said.

“These are not these are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never, ever happen.”

Carney also promised to govern with “humility” and to work with other parties.

“Humility underscores the importance of governing as a team, in cabinet and in caucus, and working constructively with all parties across Parliament,” he said.

As Carney was delivering his speech, the Liberals were leading in seat count but it was not yet clear if he would lead a minority or a majority Liberal government.

Carney extended an olive branch to those Canadians who did not vote Liberal, saying “millions of our fellow citizens preferred a different outcome.”

“And my message to every Canadian is this: no matter where you live, no matter what language you speak, no matter how you voted, I will always do my best to represent everyone who calls Canada home.”

Earlier in the evening, Liberal party supporters assembled in an Ottawa hockey arena erupted in applause and cheers after media outlets confirmed the party had won Canada’s 45th general election.

Carney, who was elected leader of the Liberal party less than two months ago, also won his own riding of Nepean — the first time he has been elected as an MP.

Supporters gathered in TD Place in Ottawa wearing Liberal red, many sporting “Carney” buttons and “Canada strong” shirts. They broke into more cheers as TV reports showed the results coming in from Carney’s Nepean riding.

Among the Liberal supporters gathered Monday was a jubilant Dorothy Goubault, who was wearing a red cowboy hat and dancing to the music. She said she was impressed by Carney’s response to Trump and that Carney was in the right place at the right time.

“He’s got that international flavour. He’s grounded. He’s stable. He’s rock solid,” she said.

Standing next to her, fellow volunteer Meseret Haileyesus cited Carney’s credentials in governance and international relations.

“This election is very important for Canada’s economy and I believe Mark Carney would be the right leader,” she said.

It was a pivotal night for a party that, just months ago, seemed to be marching toward defeat.

Canadians went to the polls Monday after a short 37-day campaign, casting their votes in 343 ridings across the country.

When Parliament was dissolved, the Liberals held 153 seats in a minority government and the Conservatives formed the official Opposition with 120 seats. The Bloc Québécois held 33 seats, the NDP 24 and the Greens two. There were three independent MPs.

Earlier in the day, Carney cast his ballot at an Anglican church in Ottawa alongside Fox Carney. He voted in the Ottawa—Vanier—Gloucester riding where he currently lives and where Liberal candidate Mona Fortier has now won re-election.

Carney, a former central banker and a political novice, became Liberal leader and prime minister in March. He focused much of his campaign on presenting himself as the best leader to take on Trump.

Carney paused his campaign several times to deal with Trump’s tariffs in his capacity as prime minister. Carney revealed late in the campaign that in a phone call, Trump had brought up his idea of making Canada a U.S. state — even though Carney initially described the discussion as “cordial” and said Trump treated Canada with respect as a sovereign nation.

In early January, polls suggested the Conservatives would win the election, as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre led the Liberals by more than 25 points. But with the departure of former prime minister Justin Trudeau and Trump’s tariffs and threats against Canadian sovereignty, Liberal fortunes turned around dramatically.

Quito Maggi, president and CEO of Mainstreet Research, attending the Liberal campaign event Monday night, described the past four months as “unprecedented.”

“Trump gets inaugurated. Trudeau resigns. Conservatives were leading in our polling by as high as 29 points in November, and then suddenly it closes up,” he said. “A couple weeks later, suddenly it’s a tie, and then the Liberals start taking the lead.”

He noted that a one-point difference in the polls could translate into a major difference in seats.

“Everybody knows a one-point difference could turn into 162 seats and a one-point difference the other way turns into 191 seats,” he said.

Carney campaigned in four different provinces on Sunday but cancelled several planned events and dropped Calgary from his itinerary after a tragic vehicle attack in Vancouver on Saturday.

His campaign style took on a more muted tone on his final day on the campaign trail — shorter speeches, no mention of Poilievre.

Instead, Carney continued attacking the Trump administration’s trade war and calling for Canadians to unite against Trump’s calls for Canada to become a U.S. state.

Following the vehicle attack on a Filipino community event in Vancouver — which claimed 11 lives — Carney’s team agonized about whether it was appropriate to continue campaigning.

Carney ultimately decided to join a crowd of mourners on Sunday near the site of the incident, along with B.C. Premier David Eby, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and local MLA Mable Elmore. A community member broke out into an impromptu rendition of Amazing Grace and the crowd of mourners soon joined in. None of the politicians spoke throughout the event.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2025.

Kyle Duggan and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press