Canada election: Mark Carney’s Liberal party wins – What comes next? FAQ

Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has won Canada’s federal election and will form the next government. While it’s not yet clear whether the party has secured an outright majority, projections confirm the Liberals will lead the next Parliament.

Has the winner been declared?

Shortly after 10:00 pm EDT (around 7:30 am IST), Canada’s public broadcaster CBC News projected that Mark Carney’s Liberal Party would secure enough seats to form the next government.
While vote counting is still in progress, it remains uncertain whether the Liberals will reach the 172-seat threshold needed for a majority.
Elections Canada is continuing to count ballots manually in the presence of witnesses, with final seat totals expected in the coming hours.

Is Mark Carney already the Prime Minister?

Carney, who was sworn in as Prime Minister on March 14 following Justin Trudeau’s resignation, will continue in office without the need for a new swearing-in ceremony.
He is to continue as PM following his election win. If he chooses to reshuffle his Cabinet, the changes would require a formal swearing-in ceremony presided over by the Governor General at Rideau Hall.
Until any reshuffle takes place, the existing cabinet ministers will remain in their current roles.

What has Carney said about his priorities?

Carney, a former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor, has emphasized rebuilding Canada’s economic relationship with the US.
Following their discussion in late March, both leaders agreed to initiate talks on establishing fresh economic and security partnerships after the election.
Upon Parliament’s reconvening, the Liberals are expected to introduce bills aimed at strengthening Canada’s economy against US tariff pressures. Their agenda includes:

Why was this election significant?

This election took place against the backdrop of threats from Donald Trump, who warned of steep tariffs and even suggested Canada could become the 51st U.S. state — a move many saw as an affront to Canadian sovereignty.
Internally, the new government faces pressure to address rising housing and food prices, and manage a surge in immigration.

Do the Liberals have a majority government?

That remains unclear. As of now. Current projections show the Liberal Party as the largest in the House of Commons, but they may not reach the 172-seat mark required for an outright majority.
If the final count confirms a shortfall, Mark Carney will lead a minority government. This would mean the Liberals must rely on the support of other parties to pass key legislation and survive crucial confidence votes in Parliament.

What happens to the Conservatives now?

The Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, significantly improved its vote share — about 41% with half of polls reporting — and is projected to win 148 seats, up from 120.
Despite the gains, they fell short of forming a government. This outcome is a setback for the party, which had been hopeful of victory just months ago.
Now, the Conservatives must decide whether to continue under Poilievre or seek new leadership. He is the third Conservative leader since 2015.
The Conservative Party is anticipated to continue in their role as the Official Opposition. While, Carney’s new term begins with global scrutiny, domestic economic stress, and the challenge of defining Canada’s role alongside an increasingly adversarial U.S.