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.”
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.”
