Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has secured a majority in the House of Commons following two decisive by-election victories Monday in Toronto-area ridings, combined with recent defections from opposition parties. This marks Canada’s first federal majority government since 2019 and is the first instance of a minority government transitioning to a majority through by-elections and party switching.

The Liberals won comfortably in the University-Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest ridings, where candidates Danielle Martin and Joly Begum respectively defeated their opponents. With more than half of the polling stations reporting shortly after polls closed, early returns indicated clear Liberal leads in both contests.

These wins elevate the Liberals’ seat count to 173 out of 343 in the House of Commons, surpassing the threshold for a majority government. Meanwhile, a third by-election in the Quebec riding of Terrebonne remained too close to call late Monday evening. Liberal candidate Tatiana Auguste held a slim lead over Bloc Québécois contender Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné with over half of the results reported.

Carney, who assumed leadership of the Liberals and the prime ministership in March 2025, had previously led his party to a minority government in the federal election held that April. His campaign highlighted his experience as a former central banker and positioned him as a candidate capable of protecting Canada’s autonomy and guiding economic policy amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States.

The party’s resurgence under Carney’s leadership comes after a disappointing finish in the 2025 federal election. The Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, had been widely expected to secure a decisive victory but ultimately fell short, enabling the Liberals to form a minority government.

Carney congratulated the successful candidates on social media shortly after the results were announced, signaling confidence in his party’s newly strengthened mandate ahead of upcoming parliamentary sessions.