Mark Carney’s party secures majority government after sweeping to victory in three special elections

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has secured a slim majority in parliament after winning three key by-elections and attracting several opposition MPs to switch sides.

The Liberals now hold 174 of 343 seats in the House of Commons, allowing them to pass legislation without relying on other parties and potentially remain in power until 2029.

In a statement, Mr Carney congratulated the three newly elected Liberal MPs and said that the voters “have placed their trust in our new government’s plan”.

Victories by Doly Begum in Scarborough Southwest, Danielle Martin in University–Rosedale and Tatiana Auguste in Terrebonne helped push the Liberals past the majority mark, CBC reported.

Mr Carney said: “We accept that support with humility, determination and a clear understanding of what this moment demands.

“This is a time to come together so we can build a Canada strong for all.”

The Toronto seats became vacant after former Liberal defence minister Bill Blair was appointed Canada’s ambassador to the UK, while former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland took on a new role as an adviser to Ukraine.

Before the by-elections, Mr Carney had already strengthened his position in the House of Commons by bringing in five defectors over the previous five months: four from the Conservatives and one from the left-leaning New Democratic Party.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre accused the Liberals of “backroom deals” to win the elections. He wrote on X: “The Carney Liberals did not win a majority government through a general election or today’s by-elections. Instead, it was won through backroom deals with politicians who betrayed the people who voted for them.”

The University–Rosedale’s winning candidate, Ms Martin, said that with the by-elections Mr Carney has “earned an even more powerful mandate to continue building a better Canada”.

She added: “This is not a mandate to be quiet. It is not a mandate to take our time. It is a mandate to get to work. On housing, on affordability, on health care, on climate change, on infrastructure and on the future of our economy and the public services that are more important to this country than ever.”

Mr Carney has previously said that a House of Commons majority would allow him to navigate more effectively the trade war with the US initiated by Donald Trump.

Andrew McDougall, an assistant professor in Canadian politics at the University of Toronto, told Reuters: “He (Carney) will be able to pass legislation without having to go to the opposition to secure enough votes.”

Laura Stephenson, the chair of the political science department at the University of Western Ontario, said: “He is focused on helping Canada survive the economic turmoil, not remaking society. When we’re in tough times like this, there are different calculations being made.”