Latest news with #mini-Trump
New Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Can Britain's Starmer learn anything from Carney's near-miraculous election win in Canada?
Whereas Carney and the Liberals have been vocal in their resistance to Trump, Starmer and Labour have followed a path of obsequiousness, even to the point of avoiding criticism of the US president over threats to Canada. Instead of speaking out, Starmer has managed Trump by flattering him through an invitation for a second state visit. Starmer and Labour seem determined to curry favour with Trump to gain a free trade agreement with the US. Setting aside the value of such an agreement, given how Trump has simply ignored the deal his first administration struck with Mexico and Canada in 2020, the toadying appears to have all been for naught. According to the Guardian, the Trump administration has made a free-trade agreement with the UK a second or third level priority. So much for the 'special relationship.' This apparent disinterest would imply that Starmer and Labour have little to risk by taking a more aggressive stance. Playing a more overtly nationalistic card might play well with more centrist voters in the UK, as it did in Canada. There is clear evidence from opinion polls of growing unhappiness with the United States among Britons, along with increasing disdain for the idea of the 'special relationship'. Such an approach might undermine some of the momentum that the Reform Party has enjoyed over the last few months. Tying Nigel Farage to the Trump administration might be especially effective given his close connections over several years to the president. Certainly, tarring your opponent as a mini-Trump represented an effective tool by the Liberal campaign against the Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who not only lost the election but also was defeated in his own constituency after having won there seven previous times. A case could be made that the Canadian situation has a uniqueness that isn't necessarily transferrable elsewhere. There is, for instance, a long history in the country of anti-Americanism as a potent political force, especially on the left of the political spectrum. Efforts to distance Canada from the US culturally and intellectually in the 1960s and 1970s were popular and led to a cultural flourishing. And elections in 1911 and 1988 were fought directly over the issue of free trade with the United States. Major public concerns over American domination of Canada were key in both contests, even though the latter election was a victory for the Progressive Conservative party that advocated free trade with the US. Additionally, a significant element of Canadian identity outside of Quebec has long been defined in oppositional terms to Canada's southern neighbour. Steve Hewitt, University of Birmingham This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Poilievre sounds like mini-Trump': What Canadian voters had to say about election
Canadian PM Mark Carney and opponent Pierre Poilievre In the Monday election, Mark Carney defeated Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and officially became the Prime Minister of Canada. In this election, US President Donald Trump played an important role in influencing the votes. His constant threats, like making Canada a 51st State and tariffs, have put the question in front of voters regarding the new leader. The election results showed that the Canadian favoured Mark Carney over Pierre Poilievre. Here's what voters said about the leaders: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo A woman said, "I think who I voted for would be the best to take care of Trump." In Toronto, Reid Warren cast his Liberal vote, citing the party as the optimal choice during economic uncertainty. "I don't think there is a better choice right now," he said, voting in Toronto. "I know people believe in Poilievre but it's the same, like, soundbites that you get from anybody else. It sounds like mini-Trump to me." Warren, employed at a wholesale food distribution centre, acknowledged the unity amongst Canadians strengthened by "all the shade being thrown from the States," but noted that 'it's definitely created some turmoil, that's for sure." Toronto resident Duncan Garrow expressed concern about repeated American references to Canada as the '51st state' and similar disrespectful comments, suggesting these remarks warrant serious consideration. "In a very bizarre, upside down, twisted way, this might be a good thing for Canada, because I think maybe we've had too much of a relationship with the United States. I mean, they're right there, they're always going to be our neighbor, our partner, our friend, hopefully. But thinking about other possibilities, thinking about cutting down some of our own barriers within Canada, but also thinking more internationally, just as a country, I think that's a very healthy, progressive way to be going forward." Pakistani immigrant sisters Laiqa and Mahira Shoaib, who voted in Mississauga, Ontario, both sought change in Monday's election, influenced by Trump's statements and tariff policies. The sisters, who arrived from Pakistan ten years ago, expressed dissatisfaction with the economic conditions and employment opportunities under Liberal leadership. "It was different when we arrived," Laiqa Shoaib stated after voting. "We need to get out of Liberals." Laiqa, 27, working in healthcare, supported the New Democratic Party, whilst Mahira, 25, a bank employee, voted Conservative, favouring Poilievre for his business acumen. "We would definitely be the 51st state if Mark Carney wins," she remarked.
29-04-2025
- Business
What some Canadian voters had to say about their election and Donald Trump
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario -- Donald Trump cast a long shadow over Canada's national election — and many Canadian voters noticed. In his first 100 days back in the White House, the U.S. president has lobbed barbs at America's northern neighbor, levied tariffs on Canadian goods and talked about making Canada the 51st state. It had many Canadian voters thinking about Trump and how the parties on the ballot would respond to him. Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals won over Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, a dramatic reversal of fortune credited largely to Trump. Here are some voices from voters casting their ballots in Monday's elections: In Toronto, Reid Warren said he voted Liberal because he saw the party as the best amid what he characterized as 'real uncertainty' in the economy particularly. 'I don't think there is a better choice right now,' he said, voting in Toronto. "I know people believe in Poilievre but it's the same, like, soundbites that you get from anybody else. It sounds like mini-Trump to me.' Warren, who works at a wholesale food distribution center, said he did feel somewhat boosted by unity among Canadians created by 'all the shade being thrown from the States,' but 'it's definitely created some turmoil, that's for sure." 'There's only so many times that you can hear, you know, '51st state' and 'governor this' and all that disrespect that's coming that you have to think, you know, at some point you have to take it seriously," said Duncan Garrow, a resident of Toronto. "In a very bizarre, upside down, twisted way, this might be a good thing for Canada, because I think maybe we've had too much of a relationship with the United States. I mean, they're right there, they're always going to be our neighbor, our partner, our friend, hopefully. But thinking about other possibilities, thinking about cutting down some of our own barriers within Canada, but also thinking more internationally, just as a country, I think that's a very healthy, progressive way to be going forward.' Sisters Laiqa and Mahira Shoaib said they both voted for change in Monday's election, and both said Trump's rhetoric and tariff plans influenced their decision. The sisters, who immigrated from Pakistan a decade ago and voted in Mississauga, Ontario, said the economy has worsened and job opportunities have dried up under Liberal rule. 'It was different when we arrived,' Laiqa Shoaib said after casting her ballot. 'We need to get out of Liberals.' Laiqa, 27 and a health care worker, voted for the New Democratic Party. Mahira, 25, who works at a bank, supported the Conservative Party, and Poilievre, whom she described as 'business-minded.' 'We would definitely be the 51st state if Mark Carney wins,' she said.
ITV News
29-04-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Canada election 2025: Mark Carney declares victory for Liberal party
Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party is projected to win Canada's election and form the next government in what will be his party's fourth term in power. As results continue to be announced, it is currently unclear whether Carney's party will win an outright majority of at least 172 seats or whether it will have to govern as a minority, relying on support from smaller parties. Carney has only been Canada's PM for 46 days but in that time has managed to turn around his party's fortunes and recover from a position in which some pollsters placed his opponents at a 27-point lead. His opponent, conservative Pierre Poilievre, had hoped the election would be a referendum on Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau, who had won three terms and resigned in January. Playing on Canadian's growing resentment towards the US President's threats to make Canada the 51st state as well as the tariffs he placed on the country, Mark Carney was able to run on a popular anti-trump platform. 'The Americans want to break us so they can own us,' Carney said in the runup to election day. 'Those aren't just words. That's what's at risk.' While campaigning, Carney vowed that every dollar the the government collects from counter-tariffs on U.S. goods will go toward Canadian workers who are adversely affected by the trade war. He also said he plans to keep dental care in place, offer a middle-class tax cut, return immigration to sustainable levels and increase funding to Canada's public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Addressing supporters and conceding defeat, conservative leader Pierre Poilievre vowed to keep fighting for Canadians and their right to an affordable home on a safe street. 'We are cognizant of the fact that we didn't get over the finish line yet,' Poilievre told his supporters in Ottawa. 'We know that change is needed, but change is hard to come by. It takes time. It takes work. And that's why we have to learn the lessons of tonight — so that we can have an even better result the next time Canadians decide the future of the country.' The US President's vocal support for Poilievre appeared to turn voters away from the Canadian conservative. Reid Warren, a Toronto resident, said he voted Liberal because Poilievre 'sounds like mini-Trump to me.' And he said Trump's tariffs are a worry. 'Canadians coming together from, you know, all the shade being thrown from the States is great, but it's definitely created some turmoil, that's for sure,' he said. Historian Robert Bothwell said Poilievre appealed to the 'same sense of grievance' as Trump, but that it ultimately worked against him. 'The Liberals ought to pay him,' Bothwell said, referring to the U.S. president. 'Trump talking is not good for the Conservatives.' If Mark Carney's party don't win an outright majority they will have to rely on support from smaller parties to remain in power. The Bloc Québécois, which looked set to finish third, is a separatist party from French-speaking Quebec that seeks independence from Canada. Trudeau's Liberals relied on the New Democrats to remain in power for four years, but the progressive party faired poorly on Monday and its leader, Jagmeet Singh, said he was stepping down after eight years in charge.
Belfast Telegraph
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Mark Carney's Liberal Party wins Canadian election upended by Donald Trump
After polls closed, the Liberals were projected to win more of parliament's 343 seats than the Conservative Party, though it was not immediately clear if they would win an outright majority or would need to rely on one or more smaller parties to form a government and pass legislation. The Liberals looked headed for a crushing defeat until the American president started attacking Canada's economy and threatening its sovereignty, suggesting it should become the 51st state. Mr Trump's actions infuriated Canadians and stoked a surge in nationalism that helped the Liberals flip the election narrative and win a fourth-straight term in power. 'We were dead and buried in December. Now we are going to form a government,' David Lametti, a former Liberal Justice Minister, told broadcaster CTV. 'We have turned this around thanks to Mark,' he said. The Conservative Party's leader, Pierre Poilievre, hoped to make the election a referendum on former prime minister Justin Trudeau, whose popularity declined toward the end of his decade in power as food and housing prices rose. But Mr Trump attacked, Mr Trudeau resigned and Mr Carney, a two-time central banker, became the Liberal Party's leader and prime minister. In a speech conceding defeat and with his own seat in the House of Commons still in doubt, Mr Poilievre vowed to keep fighting for Canadians and their right to an affordable home on a safe street. 'We are cognisant of the fact that we didn't get over the finish line yet,' Mr Poilievre told his supporters in Ottawa. 'We know that change is needed, but change is hard to come by. It takes time. It takes work. 'And that's why we have to learn the lessons of tonight — so that we can have an even better result the next time Canadians decide the future of the country.' Even with Canadians grappling with the fallout from a deadly weekend attack at a Vancouver street festival, Mr Trump was trolling them on election day, suggesting on social media that he was on their ballot and repeating that Canada should become the 51st state. He also erroneously claimed that the US subsidises Canada, writing: 'It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!' Mr Trump's truculence has infuriated many Canadians, leading many to cancel US vacations, refuse to buy American goods and possibly even vote early. A record 7.3 million Canadians cast ballots before election day. 'The Americans want to break us so they can own us,' Mr Carney said in the run-up to election day. 'Those aren't just words. That's what's at risk.' As he and his wife cast their ballots in their Ottawa district on Monday, Mr Poilievre implored voters to 'Get out to vote — for a change.' After running a Trump-like campaign for months, though, his similarities to the bombastic American leader might have cost him. Reid Warren, a Toronto resident, said he voted Liberal because Mr Poilievre 'sounds like mini-Trump to me'. And he said Mr Trump's tariffs are a worry. 'Canadians coming together from, you know, all the shade being thrown from the States is great, but it's definitely created some turmoil, that's for sure,' he said. Historian Robert Bothwell said Mr Poilievre appealed to the 'same sense of grievance' as Mr Trump, but that it ultimately cost him with voters. 'The Liberals ought to pay him,' Mr Bothwell added, referring to the US president. 'Trump talking is not good for the Conservatives.' Mr Carney and the Liberals cleared a big hurdle by winning a fourth-straight term, but they have daunting challenges ahead. If they do not win a majority in parliament, the Liberals might need to rely on the third-place party, the Bloc Quebecois, to remain in power and pass legislation. The Bloc is a separatist party from the French-speaking province of Quebec that seeks independence from Canada. Mr Trudeau's Liberals relied on the New Democrats to remain in power for four years, but the progressive party lost seats in this election. McGill University political science professor Daniel Beland said: 'This is a dramatic comeback, but if the Liberals cannot win a majority of seats, political uncertainty in a new minority Parliament could complicate things for them.' Foreign policy had not dominated a Canadian election as much as it did this year's since 1988, when, ironically, free trade with the United States was the prevailing issue. In addition to the trade war with the US and frosty relationship with Mr Trump, Canada is dealing with a cost-of-living crisis. And more than 75% of its exports go to the US, so Mr Trump's tariffs threat and his desire to get North American automakers to move Canada's production south could severely damage the Canadian economy. While campaigning, Mr Carney vowed that every dollar the the government collects from counter-tariffs on US goods will go towards Canadian workers who are adversely affected by the trade war. He also said he plans to keep dental care in place, offer a middle-class tax cut, return immigration to sustainable levels and increase funding to Canada's public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
