Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had a lot to say during his dramatic victory speech on Tuesday, but between calling out Donald Trump and making promises to Canadians, he took a moment to give Quebec a special shout-out.
Following a busy federal election night during which the Liberals were projected to form the next government, Carney addressed supporters in Ottawa in the early hours of April 29.
While the final seat count is still being determined, it was clear Carney had secured not only his riding in Nepean but also a historic fourth term for the Liberals.
Sandwiched between fiery warnings about Donald Trump and an emotional appeal for unity, Carney paused to express his gratitude to Quebecers.
“You know, during this short campaign […] I went to Saskatchewan and Alberta a couple of times. Even though we’re Liberals, it’s tough. It’s tough out there,” he said.
“[…] But I went because I intend to govern for all Canadians.”
Switching to French, Carney continued, “Throughout this campaign, Quebecers opened their doors to me and gave me their confidence, and I have been deeply touched by that, and I want to thank you.”
“The French language — Quebec culture — are at the very centre of Canadian identity,” he said.
“They define this country, the country that I love so much, and I will defend them tirelessly. With my team of Quebec members of Parliament that you have just sent to Ottawa, we will ensure that Quebec will continue to prosper within a strong Canada.”
The Liberal leader went on, “And whether you’re a worker in Fort Mac or an accountant from Toronto or a worker from Quebec, my government will work for all of you.”
The heartfelt message to Quebecers came in the middle of one of Carney’s most fiery speeches to date. Just moments earlier, he addressed concerns over the future of Canada’s relationship with the U.S., particularly with President Donald Trump in the White House.
He continued, “I’ve been warning for months, America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country — never — but these are not idle threats.”
“President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us. That will never […] ever happen, but we also must recognize the reality that our world has fundamentally changed.”
Carney also acknowledged the divisions that remain in Canada, pledging to govern for all Canadians.
“There is also, for me, as I stand before you this evening, humility in recognizing that while many have chosen to place your trust in me, trust in the Liberal Party, millions of our fellow citizens preferred a different outcome. And my message to every Canadian is this: no matter where you live, no matter what language you speak, no matter how you voted, I will always do my best to represent everyone who calls Canada home.”
A short while later, Carney revisited the issue of U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Throughout our history, there have been turning points when the world’s fortunes were in the balance. That was the case at the start of the Second World War, just as it was at the end of the Cold War, and each time Canada chose to step up, to assert ourselves as a free, sovereign and ambitious nation to lead the path of democracy and freedom, and because we are Canadian, to do so with compassion and generosity.”
“We are once again […] at one of those hinge moments of history; our old relationship with the United States, a relationship based on steadily increasing integration, is over.”
He continued, “The system of open global trade anchored by the United States — a system that Canada has relied on since the Second World War, a system that will not perfect has helped deliver prosperity for a country for decades — is over.”
“But it’s also our new reality. We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons. We have to look out for ourselves, and above all, we have to take care of each other.”
“When I sit down with President Trump, it will be to discuss the future economic and security relationship between two sovereign nations. And it will be with our full knowledge that we have many, many other options than the United States to build prosperity for all Canadians.”
A little later, Carney took another jab at the American president.
“We are supporting our friends and neighbours in the crosshairs of President Trump through a crisis that we did not create. United, we will win this trade war and build the strongest economy in the G7, an economy that works for everyone.”
During his speech, the new prime minister also took a moment to thank his family, colleagues, Canadian voters and volunteers, as well as the other party leaders who ran against him.
“I want to salute the contribution of Jagmeet Singh […] leading our progressive values. Elizabeth May, who will be returning, Yves Francois Blanchet, and I want to congratulate Pierre Poilievre on a hard-fought, fair, good campaign — his commitment to the country that we both love.”
While Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet won his riding of Beloeil-Chambly, the Liberals flipped NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s Burnaby Central riding, leading Singh to announce he would resign as party leader.
Green Party co-leader Elizabeth May was re-elected in her Vancouver Island riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands, but Jonathan Pedneault took fifth place in his attempt to secure a Montreal seat.
It is still unclear whether Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has managed to hold on to his seat in Carleton.
Carney concluded on Tuesday morning by saying, “Together, we will build a Canada worthy of our values. We will build Canada strong, Canada, free, Canada, forever. Viva la Canada. Thank you very much for this. Merci Beaucoup.”
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
