Mark Carney struck a unifying tone in his victory speech Monday night after leading the Liberal Party to a fourth consecutive mandate, vowing that his government will work “for and with everyone” in Canada—regardless of how they voted.
Speaking to an energized crowd of supporters in Ottawa, the prime minister-elect acknowledged the deep divisions exposed throughout the 2025 campaign. “Millions of our fellow citizens preferred a different outcome,” Carney said. “Let’s put an end to the division and anger of the past. We are all Canadian.”
Carney extended congratulations to all party leaders, notably praising Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre for what he called a “hard-fought, fair campaign.” In a subtle jab—and perhaps a symbol of a political turning point—Carney said he was “looking forward to working with” Bruce Fanjoy, the Liberal candidate who defeated Poilievre in his own riding of Carleton.
That moment marked one of the most unexpected developments of election night. After nearly two decades representing Carleton, Poilievre was unseated by Fanjoy, who secured over 50 per cent of the vote, ending the Conservative leader’s tenure in Parliament and triggering immediate questions about his political future.
While the Conservatives made notable gains in both seats and popular vote—finishing with their best result since 1988—they still fell short of forming government. Poilievre, who addressed supporters before his own defeat was confirmed, offered no indication of plans to step down as leader.
Meanwhile, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh took a different path, announcing that he would step aside once an interim leader is named, marking the end of his leadership following a campaign that failed to reverse the party’s stagnation.
Carney used his speech to reflect on the stakes of the election and offered a stark warning about threats he believes Canada faces from its southern neighbour. “America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country,” he said, directly addressing concerns over the posture of U.S. President Donald Trump. “These are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never, ever happen.”
As Carney prepares to form his first government as prime minister, he inherits a politically divided country, but his message made clear that unity, reconciliation, and defending Canadian sovereignty will be central to his mandate.