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Liberals sweep three seats
Canada’s ruling Liberals won all three special elections on Monday, with Mark Carney’s party taking Chicoutimi-Le Fjord in Quebec, Beaches-East York in Toronto, and North Vancouver-Capilano in British Columbia.
“Canada's ruling Liberals won all three special elections held on Monday”
The wins lifted the Liberal total to 173 seats in the 343-seat House of Commons, strengthening Carney’s position as the trade war with the United States continued to pressure Ontario’s economy.
In Quebec, Liberal candidate Daniel Gobeil was projected to win comfortably in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, a seat held by the opposition Conservatives since 2018, while the region’s aluminium producers and dairy farms were described as industries affected by the escalating trade war.
Carney said the results were a sign of support for his government’s approach, telling voters, "At this consequential time for Canada, voters have placed their trust in our government's plan."
Voices frame the message
Liberal MP Hedy Fry told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp that the election results sent a direct signal to Washington, saying, "The United States is getting a message tonight. Our leader has the support of the Canadian people."
In Quebec, the National Post described how the race in Chicoutimi—Le Fjord was expected to be fierce between the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois, and it reported that Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet conceded the victory to the Liberals.
The Globe and Mail reported that Carney saluted his winning candidates in Chicoutimi-LeFjord, Beaches-East York and North Vancouver-Capilano in postings on X, and it quoted his statement that "At this consequential time for Canada, voters have placed their trust in our government’s plan."
A political science professor at McGill University, Daniel Béland, said the Quebec result stood out and pointed to support in Quebec for Carney’s August 21 decision "to pull the plug on trade negotiations with the White House."
Trade war stakes rise
The by-election sweep came as U.S.-Canada trade talks collapsed on August 21 after the two sides failed to reach a deal, and Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on about USD 20 billion in Canadian goods.
“Trump has escalated his attacks on Canada since the talks failed”
Canada responded with plans for tariffs on U.S. products, while the Guardian reported that Trump escalated his attacks by signing an executive order renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America” and that U.S. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said Canada had limited leverage because the U.S. economy was roughly 13 times larger.
Reuters said Carney called for national unity to face a worsening trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump, and it reported that another six special elections are expected in the coming months to fill remaining vacancies.
With MPs returning to the House of Commons for the fall sitting on Sept. 21, CP24 said the trio of wins moved the party back up to 173, one seat more than required to keep their majority foothold during votes of confidence.