Canada: Carney's Liberals Narrowly Survive Budget Vote, Avoid Election

Published 6 hours ago

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Above: Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney exits the House of Commons in Ottawa, Canada, on Nov. 17, 2025. Image credit: Dave Chan/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Carney's leadership transformation has revitalized the Liberal brand and earned cross-party support for critical nation-building initiatives. The budget's infrastructure spending and immigration reforms won approval from 76% and 74% of Canadians respectively, with even Alberta showing unprecedented support for Liberal policies. This strategic pivot from Trudeau's approach proves effective leadership can reshape party fortunes and unite the country.

CTVNews IRPP

Establishment-critical narrative

The razor-thin budget victory exposes deep fractures across all parties, while Carney's overconfident governing style nearly triggered an unwanted election. Multiple Conservative MPs are reportedly uneasy with Poilievre while Liberal MPs question distancing from Trudeau's legacy. The NDP remains leaderless and divided, with the budget only surviving through desperate last-minute deals and abstentions rather than genuine unity and support.

The Hill Times Toronto Star