OTTAWA, April 13 (V7N) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged immediate action to protect and strengthen Canada's economy, after his Liberal party secured a majority in parliament during by-elections on Monday. The victory grants Carney’s government full control of the legislative agenda for the first time since 2019.

Carney, addressing the election results, stated, "Now it's time to get serious." He emphasised that a reduced opposition presence would reduce unnecessary political distractions and allow his government to focus on important policy initiatives. "We're building big, we're moving fast, we're just getting started," Carney added.

The by-election results were a major boost for the Liberals, who secured all three contested seats, giving them a decisive majority. This shift comes after the party had previously failed to clinch a majority in last year’s general election. The Liberals gained seats largely through a series of defections, including several Conservatives and a member of the left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) joining their ranks.

Carney’s victory has given the Liberals renewed momentum, and with less opposition to their plans, the government is expected to press forward with reforms and policies aimed at improving Canada’s economic resilience, especially in light of growing tensions with the United States.

Although Carney did not directly mention US President Donald Trump, his remarks about the need for Canada to become "more independent" resonated in the context of ongoing tensions between the two countries. Despite a tariff-free trade relationship for more than 85 percent of US-Canada trade, Carney pointed out that Trump's tariffs on key Canadian sectors have hurt jobs and economic growth. The future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), now known as the USMCA, remains uncertain with upcoming revision talks that may shift the balance of power in trade between the two countries.

In his speech, Carney highlighted the importance of diversifying Canada’s trade partnerships, particularly given the volatility in US-Canada relations. “We must strengthen our global ties and be less reliant on our neighbour to the south,” he said.

One of Carney's first significant actions following the by-election victory was announcing a set of federal tax breaks on petrol and jet fuel to address rising energy costs. These measures, set to begin on Monday and run through Labour Day, are designed to ease the financial strain on Canadians as global energy prices surge due to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.


Carney described the war in Iran as “an enormous shock in the global economy,” and the energy tax relief as a temporary, yet responsible, measure to provide immediate relief to Canadians grappling with higher costs.

The by-election results also marked a clear endorsement of Carney's leadership. The Liberal party maintained its stronghold in the Toronto area, considered safe Liberal territory, but also secured a narrow victory in the Quebec district of Terrebonne, edging out the separatist Bloc Québécois by just 731 votes.

While Carney has secured his majority in parliament, many Canadians are focused on his ability to navigate the geopolitical tensions surrounding the United States, particularly in relation to trade and international relations. Marcel Tremblay, a 75-year-old Montreal resident, expressed support for Carney, saying, “We need to be strong. The new prime minister is building ties with many other countries so that we'll have fewer dealings with the United States. That's a good thing."

With his majority government, Carney is now positioned to make bold moves in foreign policy and domestic economic reforms, including efforts to reduce dependence on the United States, while addressing the immediate challenges posed by the global energy crisis and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

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