The first reaction to the results of the Canadian elections around the world, including in Canada itself, was that the Canadians had defeated Donald Trump. It was hard to see it otherwise; even President Trump acknowledged that his tariff threats, insults and talk of annexing Canada had upended a race that only weeks earlier looked to oust the Liberals from power over dissatisfaction with the economy.
“You know, until I came along, remember that the Conservative was leading by 25 points,” Trump told The Atlantic in an interview conducted last Thursday and published Monday, seemingly more proud about than disturbed by what he had wrought. “Then I was disliked by enough of the Canadians that I’ve thrown the election into a close call, right?”
Right. Prime Minister Mark Carney, a respected economist thrust into the political forefront by fury at Trump, declared victory early Tuesday, though his Liberal Party looked to end up short of a majority in Parliament. As in any elections, there were many nuances to be sorted out: The Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, lost his seat; the left-wing New Democratic Party and the Quebec nationalist Bloc Québécois took drubbings; Carney faced a host of tough choices, including how to deal with Trump. But these were largely drowned out in the moment by the Trump factor.
The Canadian elections are likely to soon fade from American headlines, given the relentless shock and awe generated by the Trump administration. The impact north of the border, however, may be indelible.
Anyone following the N.H.L. playoff series between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals surely noted the announcement before the last two games in Montreal: “Despite recent events, we ask that in the spirit of this great game which unites everyone that you kindly respect the U.S. and Canadian national anthems.” “Recent events,” of course, means Trump, and the appeal recalled the booing and fighting at the U.S.-Canadian hockey tournament two months ago.
The anger is evident in many other ways, including the “Not for sale” and “Never 51” T-shirts. Canadians have always felt close to but distinct from Americans. Most of them live within 100 miles of the U.S.-Canada border, yet they take pride in differences like their national health system. But a hostile America was something they never imagined.
Carney’s victory speech reflected the anger. “We are over the shock of the American betrayal,” he said, using a word now often heard. “We have to look out for ourselves. And above all, we have to take care of each other.”
These sentiments may be incomprehensible to Trump. In a muddled post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, while Canadians were voting, he again gushed about how “beautiful this land mass would be” if Canada became “the cherished 51st” state and urged Canadians to “elect the man” who would bring this about. That every man running for prime minister totally rejected the offer seemed not to matter. “IT WAS MEANT TO BE!” Trump insisted.
