CHCO-TV NewsBreak26 with Vicki Hogarth: April 29, 2025

Canada has elected another Liberal government—this time under new leadership. Mark Carney will become Prime Minister after leading the Liberals to a minority victory just six weeks after becoming party leader.

The former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor won his seat in Nepean and vowed, during his victory speech, to work across party lines in the face of unprecedented challenges.

“America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country,” he said. “These are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never, ever happen.”

The Liberals secured just over 43 percent of the vote, narrowly ahead of the Conservatives, who had over 41 percent—marking the first time since 1930 that two federal parties have each surpassed 40 percent of the vote. Votes were still being counted in several closely contested ridings between the Liberals and Conservatives at the time of broadcast, making final seat totals still uncertain.

In a surprise upset, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his seat in Carleton after nearly two decades in office but vowed to stay on as party leader.

“Change takes time,” he said. “And we will keep fighting for that change.”

The Bloc Québécois lost ground but kept party status. The NDP dropped below official party status after a sharp decline, prompting Jagmeet Singh to resign following his defeat in Burnaby. Green Party co-leader Elizabeth May was the only Green MP re-elected.

In New Brunswick, seats stayed the same: six Liberals, four Conservatives; however, at the time of broadcast, votes were still being counted in the riding of Miramichi-Grand Lake, potentially impacting the outcome of that riding. In the newly redrawn Saint John–St. Croix riding, Conservative John Williamson defeated former Liberal MP Karen Ludwig with 54 percent of the vote in a race that drew over 72 percent turnout. Ludwig finished with over 40% of the vote.

By Vicki Hogarth and Nathalie Sturgeon

Speaking to CHCO-TV at his victory party in St. George, Williamson urged a united approach after the election.

“I believe Canadians will come together,” he said. “We may debate in Parliament, but I’m confident we’ll negotiate hard and present a united front with the president.”

Ludwig, while disappointed, said she was proud of her return to politics and what her campaign achieved, adding that the election reflected a country grappling with a shared desire to protect its future, despite different perspectives on what that means.

“It showed Canadians pulling together to protect our sovereignty,” she said. “But it also revealed deep divisions. There’s work ahead on how we move forward—and what leadership means.”

With a minority government now in place, Carney will face the challenge of working with all parties to move legislation forward. The months ahead will test not only Carney’s leadership but also Parliament’s ability to bridge the divide that this election has made so apparent. Yet, the outcome also signals a renewed commitment among Canadians to engage in shaping the country’s future in the face of adversity.

Finally, one issue all candidates in the Saint John–St. Croix riding strongly supported during their campaigns is the need for a year-round link between Campobello Island and the rest of the country. Currently, the island relies on a bridge to Lubec, Maine, to access the mainland. With the tightening of the U.S. border and growing tensions in U.S.-Canada relations, island residents are facing increasing challenges when it comes to navigating the border.

In response to these concerns, the New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is working with the island and the ferry service operator to extend the ferry season starting in 2025. The ferry will now operate beginning in May, offering a much-needed connection to the mainland before the summer months. While this earlier service will provide some relief, the ongoing need for a year-round link remains a critical issue that requires collaboration from all levels of government.