Liberals win Canada election overshadowed by Trump, but unclear if they will have majority

Canada’s ruling Liberals have retained power in the country’s election, but it is too soon to say whether they will form a majority government, CTV News and CBC predict.

Prime Minister Mark Carney asked for a strong mandate to help him handle US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and annexation threat, but CTV and CBC say the Liberals have not yet secured the 172 electoral districts, known as seats, they need for a majority.

The size of the Liberal government might not be known for some time and could depend on the westernmost province of British Columbia, where polls closed last.

The Liberals are leading or elected in 139 seats, followed by the Conservatives with 107, according to CBC.

Carney has promised a tough approach with Washington over its tariffs and said Canada will need to spend billions to reduce its reliance on the US. But the right-of-center Conservatives, who have called for change after more than nine years of Liberal rule, show unexpected strength.

The House has 343 seats and if Carney only captures a minority, he will have to negotiate with other parties to stay in power. Minority governments in Canada rarely last longer than 2-2.5 years.

The result, though, caps a notable comeback for the Liberals, who had been 20 points behind in the polls in January before unpopular former prime minister Justin Trudeau announced he was quitting and Trump started threatening tariffs and annexation.

Trump’s threats ignited a wave of patriotism that swelled support for Carney, a political newcomer who previously led two G7 central banks.