Ottawa, Canada (AFP)– Prime Minister Mark Carney won Canada’s election Monday, local media projected, leading his Liberal Party to a new term in power after convincing voters that his experience managing economic crises prepared him to confront US President Donald Trump.
The public broadcaster CBC and CTV News both projected the Liberals would form Canada’s next government, but it was not yet clear if they would hold a majority in parliament.
Trump’s trade war and threats to annex Canada, which he renewed in an election day social media post, outraged Canadians and made dealing with the United States a top campaign issue.
Carney, who had never held elected office and only replaced Justin Trudeau as prime minister last month, anchored his campaign on an anti-Trump message.
He previously served as central bank governor in both Britain and Canada and persuaded voters that his global financial experience has prepared him to guide Canada through a trade war.
He promised to expand overseas trading relations to curb Canada’s reliance on the United States.
Carney’s descriptions of the Trump threat have been stark.
“Donald Trump wants to break us so America can own us,” he said during the campaign.
“They want our resources, they want our water, they want our land, they want our country. They can’t have it.”