Canada: Carney secures majority after special election

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney secured a parliamentary majority late on Monday after his Liberal Party won two key by-elections in Toronto.

In Toronto, Liberal candidate Danielle Martin won the election for the district of University-Rosedale and Liberal Doly Begum won the district of Scarborough Southwest.

The victories give the Liberals 173 seats in the 343-member House of Commons, enough to pass legislation without opposition support.

Carney posted a statement on X, saying, "Tonight, voters have placed their trust in our new government's plan. We accept that support with humility, determination and a clear understanding of what this moment demands."

Results from a third race in Quebec were still pending.

'Carney showed he can handle Trump'

Carney, a political outsider, took office last year, replacing Justin Trudeau as prime minister.

He was, earlier, the former head of the Bank of England as well as Canada's central bank.

His election was overseen by public anger over US President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to annex Canada as its 51st state.

His vowed to reduce Canada's reliance on the US has since consolidated his political position with five opposition legislators defecting to the Liberals in five months. 

His attempt to band middle-power nations together also drew praise.

"Carney has done a fairly good job showing Canadians he can handle Trump," said Andrew McDougall, assistant professor in Canadian politics at the University of Toronto.

After Monday's results, Carney's Liberal Party could stay in power until 2029 national elections.

PM consolidates political position

Analysts say the election victories put Carney in strong position.

"He will be able to pass legislation without having to go to the opposition to secure enough votes," said McDougall.

Recent Nanos polling, cited by Reuters news agency, shows more than half of Canadians prefer Mark Carney as prime minister, compared with 23% for Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

This is a stark reversal from last year, when Poilievre was projected to win by a wide margin.

Opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre accused the Liberal Party of relying on "backroom deals," and vowed to "reclaim the country."

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher