Canada Election Results 2025 LIVE Updates: Trump congratulates Mark Carney as Liberals to form minority government

New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh has hit back at Donald Trump’s latest remarks threatening Canada’s sovereignty. In a post on X, Singh wrote: "I hear Trump has something to say about our election. He doesn’t choose our future. We do." He also urged Canadians to "protect what makes Canada, Canada."

Mark Carney has cast his vote in the Canadian federal election, arriving at a polling station in Ottawa, Ontario, hours after his main rival Pierre Poilievre. Carney, accompanied by his wife Diana, appeared upbeat as he greeted others at the voting location and shook hands with fellow voters.

As Canadians abroad post their ballots, the country's most critical election in recent memory is shaping up to be a two-man race between Liberal leader and current prime minister Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, The Guardian reports.

While five parties were represented in parliament before the election was called — the Liberals (Carney), Conservatives (Poilievre), Bloc Québécois (Yves-François Blanchet), New Democratic Party (Jagmeet Singh), and Greens (Elizabeth May) — voters and observers agree that the real contest will be between Carney and Poilievre for the leadership of the country.

Canadians living in the UK are setting aside their famously polite demeanor as they mail in ballots for what many are calling the most consequential election of their lifetimes, The Guardian reports.

"If you mess with Canadians, we'll hit back," said Sarah Helppi, a 44-year-old originally from Toronto, now based in London, as she sent off her postal vote. Helppi described this election as "the most important Canadian vote" she has experienced, driven by concerns over US import tariffs and threats from Donald Trump, who has derisively referred to Canada as the "51st state."

A record 7.3 million Canadians cast their ballots early, reflecting a highly motivated electorate. The surge in early voting is attributed to a mix of factors, including widespread discontent over US President Donald Trump's tariffs, which have been condemned by all major candidates.

Voters are seeking a leader capable of standing up to Trump, navigating the ongoing trade disputes, and securing a favorable resolution.

A fire at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario, has forced the closure of a recreation center that was serving as a polling station for the federal election. Windsor Fire and Rescue Services responded to the blaze on Monday, evacuating people from the facility.

The fire has since been brought under control. In response, election officials have redirected voters from the Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore riding to St. Joseph’s High School, which is located nearby.

According to The Guardian, the fire's impact on the polling station has caused some disruption, but officials are ensuring voters can still cast their ballots at the new location.

The group Republicans Against Trump accused US President Donald Trump of undermining Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre by renewing his calls for Canada to become the "51st state."

In a post on X, the group said, "Donald Trump is doing everything he can to ensure the Conservative Party will lose today’s election in Canada." Poilievre, who once held a strong lead, publicly urged Trump to "stay out of our election" earlier today. Meanwhile, the Reagan Caucus, another anti-Trump Republican group, posted: "If the conservatives lose the election in Canada, you know whose fault it is."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Donald Trump’s calls for Canada to become the 51st US state are rooted in frustrations over trade. In an interview with NBC, Rubio said Trump floated the idea after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told him Canada could not survive "without unfair trade" with the United States.

"They’ll have their elections this week. They’re going to have a new leader and we’ll deal with the new leadership of Canada," Rubio said. Pressed on Trump’s intentions, he added: "The president has stated repeatedly he thinks Canada would be better off as a state. -NBC

Elections Canada is encouraging voters to head to polling stations between noon and 4pm to avoid long waits. According to a graphic shared by the agency on X, early morning and late afternoon, especially after 4pm, tend to be the busiest times.

At least two party leaders have cast their votes so far. Yves-François Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Québécois, voted in Chambly, Quebec, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, a key challenger to Liberal leader Mark Carney, cast his ballot in Ottawa, Ontario.

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet cast his vote in Chambly, Quebec, as part of the country's federal election. As the leader of the Quebec-sovereigntist party, Blanchet advocates for the interests of Quebec and promotes the idea of Quebec's sovereignty.

Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet votes on federal election day in Chambly, Quebec, Canada. (Reuters)

According to Canada Sports Betting, as reported by The Guardian, the Liberals have become the clear frontrunners in the election with an 83% chance of victory, while the Conservatives trail behind with a 23% chance of winning.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney posted a video on X, urging Canadians to choose unity and strength in the face of potential economic threats from the US. "I know people are anxious right now. The crisis in the United States doesn’t stop at their borders," Carney said. "They can become divided and weak. But this is Canada and we decide what happens here. Let’s choose to be united and strong – Canada strong."

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida Poilievre have exercised their right to vote at a polling station in Ottawa, Ontario.

Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida leave after voting on election day in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Reuters)

Canadians are heading to polling stations across the country, including in Halifax, to cast their votes and shape the nation's future.

Elections Canada signage is seen as voters arrive at a polling station on Election Day in Halifax, Canada. (AP)

"President Trump, stay out of our election. The only people who will decide the future of Canada are Canadians at the ballot box. Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will NEVER be the 51st state.

Today Canadians can vote for change so we can strengthen our country, stand on our own two feet and stand up to America from a position of strength," Conservative Pierre Poilievre posted on X.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney arrived at Ottawa's International Airport on election morning, following his attendance at a vigil in Vancouver for the victims of a car ramming attack that occurred during a Filipino heritage festival, resulting in 11 fatalities and numerous injuries.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney arrives in Ottawa, Canada. (AP)

Canadians in several provinces and territories are now voting as polls open in more time zones, including Ontario, Quebec, and others.-BBC

Canada will hold a general election on April 28, with polls indicating Prime Minister Mark Carney's ruling Liberals a few points ahead of the official opposition Conservatives of Pierre Poilievre.

Here are some key facts about Canada's election:

To be eligible to vote in a Canadian federal election, you must meet the following requirements:

Canadians are heading to the polls in a pivotal federal election, with the outcome hanging precariously in the balance. The campaign, marked by intense debate and unprecedented external influences, has been overshadowed by US President Donald Trump's threats to Canada's sovereignty and escalating trade tensions. In a surprising turn, Trump's renewed threats to annex Canada have dominated the final days of the election, forcing Canadian leaders to respond and voters to reconsider their priorities.

The election landscape shifted dramatically after Mark Carney took over the Liberal Party leadership in March. With Trump's actions dominating headlines, Carney has framed the election as a choice between stability and uncertainty, emphasizing the need to protect Canada's interests. A recent attack at a Vancouver festival has added to the campaign's complexity, briefly halting Carney's campaign and leaving the nation in shock. As voters cast their ballots, the potential outcomes remain uncertain, with possibilities ranging from a Conservative majority to a hung parliament.-The Guardian

Justin Trudeau stepped down as Canada's Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader due to intense pressure and declining popularity. After nine years in office, Trudeau faced criticism over rising costs, including soaring food and housing prices, and a surge in immigration. His decision comes just months before legislative elections, leaving the Liberal Party with a leadership challenge.

Key factors contributing to Trudeau's decision:

Trudeau's resignation paves the way for a new leader to take the helm of the Liberal Party and potentially shift the country's direction. With elections looming, the party's future hangs in the balance as it searches for a fresh face to lead the charge.

Poilievre’s populist approach, once effective against Trudeau, lost impact against Carney. He borrowed from Trump’s playbook—criticizing “woke politics” and using “Canada First” rhetoric—but with foreign policy becoming the top election issue, his domestic-focused message failed to resonate as strongly as it did earlier in the campaign.

The Conservatives peaked at 44.8% support on January 20—the day Trump was inaugurated—but have since declined. Trump's tariffs and open threats to Canada’s sovereignty have outraged voters, pushing many away from Poilievre, who has struggled to find an effective stance on Trump without alienating his party’s conservative base.

In Quebec, the Liberal Party has maintained a strong lead, aided by Trump’s rhetoric. A BBC report reveals that while Quebec has historically debated independence from Canada, Trump’s threats have pushed many Quebecers toward national unity. This shift has made it harder for the Bloc Québécois to gain ground in its traditional stronghold.

Polling has narrowed significantly in recent days. According to CBC’s Poll Tracker, the Liberals now lead with 42.8% of support, while the Conservatives hold 39.2%. The Bloc Québécois and NDP have lost ground, with many of their former supporters shifting toward the Liberals, especially in Ontario and Quebec, two crucial battlegrounds.

Unlike Trudeau, Carney is not a career politician. A former governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, he is seen as a steady, pragmatic leader—an image that gained traction amid Trump’s aggressive rhetoric. However, his lack of political experience left questions about his ability to handle a national campaign effectively.

Poilievre, 45, has led the Conservatives since 2022 and was a cabinet member under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. His campaign has focused on lower taxes, smaller government, and opposition to “woke politics”. Many Canadians facing an affordability crisis initially found his “common sense politics” appealing, but foreign policy concerns have changed the conversation.

Pierre Poilievre, a key figure in Stephen Harper’s government, positioned himself as a champion of lower taxes and smaller government. His messaging resonated with Canadians struggling under housing and cost-of-living crises, offering an alternative to Trudeau’s perceived “socialist” policies. However, his approach shifted once foreign policy became central to the campaign.

Canadian politics has long been dominated by the Liberals and Conservatives, with smaller parties like the Bloc Québécois (BQ) and New Democratic Party (NDP) often playing kingmakers. The Conservatives, led by Poilievre since 2022, have pushed “common sense politics” while Liberals, underarney, promise steady leadership during unprecedented external and internal challenges.