Carney’s Stand Against Trump Boosted by Liberal Sweep in Three Canadian By-Elections

Canada’s Liberals swept three special elections Monday, giving Prime Minister Mark Carney a stronger parliamentary position as he confronts Donald Trump in an escalating trade war.

The party won Chicoutimi-Le Fjord in Quebec, Beaches-East York in Toronto and North Vancouver-Capilano in British Columbia. The Quebec result drew the most attention. Liberal candidate Daniel Gobeil won comfortably in a district the opposition Conservatives had held since 2018, while the Conservatives finished third.

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At this consequential time for Canada, voters have placed their trust in our government's plan.

Chicoutimi-Le Fjord includes aluminum producers, dairy farms and other industries affected by the trade dispute. Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto, said Carney was more popular in Quebec than elsewhere in Canada and that Trump’s threats to annex Canada had particular force there.

“Quebecers have the most to lose in an apocalyptic scenario where the U.S. absorbs Canada, and the status of the French language disappears,” Wiseman said. Carney said the election results showed that voters had placed their trust in his government’s plan. Liberal lawmaker Hedy Fry said the United States was receiving a message that Carney had the support of Canadians.

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Quebecers have the most to lose in an apocalyptic scenario where the U.S. absorbs Canada, and the status of the French language disappears.

The other two seats had previously been held by Liberals. Carney’s former deputy chief of staff, Braeden Caley, won in North Vancouver-Capilano. The three victories lifted the Liberals to 173 seats in the 343-member House of Commons. The elections followed the resignations of the previous lawmakers earlier this year.

Trade talks between Canada and the United States collapsed on Aug. 21. Trump then imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion in Canadian goods, and Canada announced plans for tariffs on U.S. products. Carney has accelerated efforts to expand economic ties with Europe and other partners. The article ends while discussing whether the Quebec result also reflected support for Carney’s Aug. 21 decision.

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The United States is getting a message tonight. Our leader has the support of the Canadian people.