Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party have done something never seen before in Canadian political history: they have formed a majority government through floor crossings and by-elections.
On Monday, the by-election victories of Doly Begum in Scarborough Southwest (ON), Tatiana Auguste in Terrebonne (QC), and Danielle Martin in University – Rosedale (ON), pushed the Liberal Party to 174 seats in the House of Commons, a narrow majority of just 5 seats over the opposition.
This is in addition to the 5 Members of Parliament (MPs) who crossed the floor to join the Liberal party since the historic 2025 election. Prime Minister Carney has successfully continued his resuscitation of the Party, first saving them from a near-certain defeat under Trudeau and now propelling them to heights they have not seen since 2019.
Prime Minister Carney has extended the “big tent” of the Liberal Party, bringing in voices from across the political spectrum who have been at odds with the party in the past, such as Conservative Marilyn Gladu and New Democrat Lori Idlout. Time will tell how Carney will navigate this new Liberal identity and the relationships between his newest caucus members.
With a majority government comes significant political power and stability.
Canada has not had majority government since 2019. For the last 7 years, all parties in the House of Commons have had to work together and compromise to pass legislation. Now, until the next fixed election in 2029, a Carney-led Liberal Party will be able to pass legislation unimpeded by the opposition. Committees will be reconstituted with Liberal majorities, limiting their ability to scrutinize or question the Government. This allows the government to pursue its goals decisively without compromise.
With a majority, the Liberals will move more vigorously to implement policies supportive of their priorities. As we have seen from the past year, it is expected that they will move quickly to increase defence spending to 2% of GDP, create new trade relationships, and develop Canada’s internal economy.
A majority government can drastically impact the direction and funding of Canada’s international assistance. Carney’s first year in office helps to give us a glimpse into the direction his newly minted majority may take.
Carney announced during the 2025 election that “my government will not cut foreign aid”. However, when the 2025 budget was announced in the fall, that promise was not kept and the International Assistance Envelope was cut by a whopping $2.7 billion over 4 years.
Since the election, this government has maintained critical investments into mechanisms like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Nutrition International, and the Child Nutrition Fund. However, the most recent investment into the Global Fund represented a 16% cut to Canada’s previous investment. These cuts are threatening global stability and health security particularly at a time where lives hang in the balance.
While this government recognizes the importance of our international assistance in protecting global health, developing new trade relations, and demonstrating global leadership, they have yet to put their money where their mouth is. Crises around the world are rising, progress on issues such as child mortality are backsliding, and established donors like the UK, France and the United States are stepping back. Way back.
This majority government has a choice: restore international assistance and show bold global leadership or risk further global instability, security issues, and health crises. It’s in their hands and as our representatives they need to know that Canadians care about international assistance. This is why our advocacy is more important than ever.
We must remind this government that they cannot ignore Canadian voices who care about Canada's international assistance.
If you reside in Scarborough Southwest (ON), Terrebonne (QC) or University – Rosedale (ON), contact your new MP to congratulate them on their victory and to remind them that Canadians care about international assistance and building a better, healthier and more prosperous world. If you are not sure which riding you live in you can check here by using your postal code.
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