Prime Minister Mark Carney faces a generational divide as young Canadians shift to Conservatives over housing, inflation, and cost-of-living frustrations

As Canada’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mark Carney begins his tenure, he faces not only the challenge of dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump but also the growing divide within his own country, particularly between generations. Young voters, increasingly concerned about housing affordability, crime, and the cost of living, have shifted their support toward the Conservative Party, marking a significant change from the 2015 election when Justin Trudeau and the Liberals dominated youth voting.

A Generational Shift in Canadian Politics

Polls leading up to the 2025 election showed a notable trend: young Canadians—especially those between 18-34 years old—have rallied behind Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. A Nanos poll from April 2025 indicated that the Conservatives led the Liberals by 44% to 31.2% among this age group, driven by concerns over rising living costs and unaffordable housing.

For many young Canadians like Connor, a 28-year-old from Toronto, the appeal of the Conservatives lies in their focus on addressing these core issues. “We’re getting stuck in a system that doesn’t seem to be working. It worked for our parents, but not for us,” he told the BBC. He expressed frustration with years of Liberal policies, which he believes have failed to tackle the economic realities facing young Canadians today.

Similarly, AS, a 29-year-old woman from Montreal, said she feels disillusioned by stagnant economic growth. “I make six figures, but my dollar isn’t going as far as it should. That’s concerning,” she added.

The Liberals’ Struggles to Connect with Youth

While Carney’s Liberal Party managed to secure 169 seats and form a minority government, they faced a significant loss of support from younger voters. Polling from Abacus Data suggested that concerns over housing and cost of living outpaced other issues among youth, while Trump remained a primary concern for older voters, with 45% of those over 60 citing the U.S. president as a major issue. The Liberals’ focus on the international stage, particularly their stance against Trump, did not resonate as strongly with the younger demographic.

Political analyst David Coletto of Abacus Data explained that young voters feel “let down and frustrated” by the current system, which may explain their shift away from the Liberals toward the more populist Conservative platform.

Conservative Gains: A Response to Economic Frustration

Carney’s platform, while addressing affordability and housing issues, was seen as less distinct from the Conservatives in terms of policy. However, Laura Stephenson, Chair of the Political Science Department at Western University, noted that the key difference between the two parties is “differences in degree” rather than fundamental policy divides. While Carney promised 500,000 new homes annually and a modest income tax cut, Poilievre’s Conservatives captured the mood of younger voters by framing the current system as broken and unresponsive to their economic needs.

As Canada’s housing market continues to skyrocket, affordability has become one of the most significant issues for young voters. The Conservative focus on reforming housing policy and addressing the cost of living crisis directly aligns with the struggles facing a generation that feels economically marginalized.

What’s Next for Carney and the Liberals?

Despite winning the popular vote and securing a minority government, Carney faces a tough road ahead in mending the generational rift. He will need to engage with the New Democratic Party (NDP), and possibly even Conservative MPs, to secure enough support for key pieces of legislation. In his victory speech, Carney promised to represent all Canadians, regardless of how they voted. But with a fractured political landscape and regional tensions—especially from Western Canada—he has his work cut out for him.

As Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently pointed out, Poilievre’s conservative vision “inspired millions,” and the Liberals must now face the reality of a Conservative surge strong enough to block them from forming a majority government.

For now, it is clear that Carney and the Liberals will need to find ways to reconnect with younger Canadians who are increasingly attracted to the Conservative message of change.

PM Mark Carney will move into Rideau Cottage as 24 Sussex remains uninhabitable. Ottawa weighs costly options for Canada’s crumbling official residence.

Prime Minister Mark Carney will soon move into Rideau Cottage, sidestepping the long-dormant and crumbling 24 Sussex Drive, once the traditional home of Canada’s prime ministers.

The Privy Council Office (PCO) confirmed Thursday that Carney — who currently resides in the upscale Rockcliffe neighbourhood — will relocate to Rideau Cottage “in line with security recommendations.”

Located on the grounds of Rideau Hall, the Governor General’s official residence, Rideau Cottage previously housed Justin Trudeau and his family throughout his time in office. Carney’s move follows a federal election campaign that kept him and his wife, Diana Fox Carney, on the road for weeks, leaving them temporarily lodged in an official guest residence.

24 Sussex in Ruins, Still Without a Future

Once a symbol of Canadian political power, 24 Sussex Drive has been vacant since 2015, plagued by dangerous levels of mould, asbestos, lead, and rodent infestations. Years of political hesitation to fund renovations have left the 19th-century heritage property deteriorating into an expensive problem with no clear solution.

In one of his final acts before leaving office, former prime minister Justin Trudeau tasked his public services and procurement minister with developing a plan for a new official residence by January 2026. The mandate includes establishing an advisory committee to assess location, cost, functionality, and security considerations.

Three Costly Options on the Table

According to Trudeau’s directive, three main proposals are under review:

1. Rebuilding or majorly renovating 24 Sussex on its current footprint
2. Relocating the official residence to a more secure property in Ottawa’s Rockcliffe Park
3. Upgrading Rideau Cottage to serve as the long-term residence for future prime ministers

Early estimates suggest that even the most affordable option would cost tens of millions, with some projections exceeding $100 million.

Political Paralysis Over a Prime Ministerial Address

Successive prime ministers have avoided investing heavily in 24 Sussex to prevent the optics of spending public funds on a lavish official home. As a result, Canada’s equivalent of the White House has become a symbol of deferred decision-making.

With Carney settling into Rideau Cottage — at least for now — the future of Canada’s prime ministerial residence remains uncertain, with long-term planning pushed into the next year.

Stay with Maple News Wire for continuing updates on the future of 24 Sussex and Canada’s shifting political landscape.

Mark Carney’s Liberals may have secured a national win in the 2025 federal election, but a central campaign theme — framing U.S. President Donald Trump as a threat to Canada’s economic future — failed to resonate in the very ridings most affected by U.S. trade tensions.

Despite frequent warnings from Carney about Trump’s tariffs and protectionist policies, the Liberals suffered defeats in several key manufacturing and border communities that had long been battlegrounds for working-class voters. These seats, had they stayed red, could have tipped the balance toward a Liberal majority.

“We will build an independent future for our great country,” Carney declared in his victory speech, doubling down on his anti-Trump messaging. “Vive le Canada.”

But voters in industrial heartlands like Niagara, Hamilton, and Windsor appeared to prioritize more immediate economic concerns — especially affordability and housing — over international trade disputes.

Niagara South: Trade Woes vs. Kitchen Table Concerns

In Niagara South, a riding freshly redrawn from what was once Niagara Centre, Conservative Fred Davies ousted Liberal incumbent Vance Badawey in a tight race. The region, historically a blue-collar Liberal-NDP stronghold, sits directly on the U.S. border and has deep ties to manufacturing — an industry vulnerable to U.S. tariffs.

Davies acknowledged that while Trump’s trade threats made headlines, affordability and cost-of-living concerns ultimately swayed voters.

“We lost an entire generation of young people who couldn’t afford a home,” Davies told Maple News Wire. “That message hit home more than anything else.”

Polling analyst Dan Arnold, formerly of Trudeau’s campaign team and now with Pollara Strategic Insights, said it was expected the Liberals would perform well in trade-exposed ridings. But the cost-of-living crisis proved more pressing.

“Housing prices skyrocketed in these communities. That’s what people felt every day — not the tariffs,” Arnold noted.

Hamilton East: Urban Shift, Conservative Gain

Down the Queen Elizabeth Way in Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, Liberal Chad Collins lost his seat to Conservative Ned Kuruc, despite a stronger showing in the vote share compared to 2021. The riding, which underwent redistribution, now includes more suburban and rural areas.

Former deputy prime minister Sheila Copps, who once represented Hamilton East, said the new boundaries played a key role.

“It’s no longer just an urban riding. The demographics have shifted,” Copps said.

Davies also pointed to the Conservatives’ growing appeal to private-sector unions, crediting former leader Pierre Poilievre for outreach efforts that resonated with blue-collar workers.

Windsor Turns Blue for the First Time in 95 Years

Perhaps the most stunning upset came in Windsor, long regarded as a fortress for the NDP and Liberals.

In Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore, Liberal Irek Kusmierczyk narrowly lost to Conservative Kathy Borrelli. Meanwhile, in Windsor West, long-time NDP MP Brian Masse was toppled by Conservative Harb Gill, completing a historic Conservative sweep of the region — the first since 1930.

University of Windsor political scientist Lydia Miljan described the outcome as “shocking,” attributing the Conservative gains to a collapse of NDP support and a well-executed ground game.

“They pulled labour votes away from the NDP. That made the difference,” Miljan said.

Strategic Losses Blocked Liberal Majority

Analysts agree that had Kusmierczyk, Collins, and Badawey held their seats, the Liberals would have crossed the threshold into majority territory — even if just barely.

Yet despite the losses, Carney’s message about standing firm against Trump appeared to move the needle in terms of vote share. All three defeated Liberals actually improved their performance compared to the last election.

Still, it wasn’t enough to counter the Conservatives’ blue-collar momentum.

“There are orange-blue switchers — union voters who historically backed the NDP but chose Conservatives over Liberals this time,” said Arnold. “In places like Niagara and Hamilton, that made all the difference.”

Conclusion: Affordability Over Foreign Affairs

The 2025 election results offer a clear takeaway: while international diplomacy plays well on national stages, voters in Canada’s industrial belt are more likely to be swayed by domestic economic realities — especially housing, inflation, and wages.

The Liberals may have won the war, but in these key ridings on the front lines of the trade war, they lost the battle. And those losses may haunt the party as they navigate a minority government with a slim mandate.

Canada’s 2025 election reshapes politics as Poilievre, Singh, and other key MPs lose seats; Liberals gain ground under Carney amid shifting voter sentiment.

The 2025 Canadian federal election has ushered in a significant transformation in the nation’s political landscape, marked by the unexpected defeats of several prominent Members of Parliament (MPs). Notably, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Jagmeet Singh lost their seats, signaling a shift in voter sentiment and party dynamics.

Leaders Lose Ground

• Pierre Poilievre (Conservative – Carleton, ON): After two decades representing Carleton, Poilievre was unseated by Liberal newcomer Bruce Fanjoy. This loss not only removes a key figure from the Conservative frontbench but also raises questions about the party’s future direction.
• Jagmeet Singh (NDP – Burnaby Central, BC): Singh’s third-place finish in Burnaby Central led to his resignation as NDP leader. The party’s overall performance, securing only seven seats, has resulted in the loss of official party status for the first time since 1993.

Notable Departures Across Parties

• Niki Ashton (NDP – Churchill-Keewatinook Aski, MB): A fixture since 2008, Ashton was defeated by Liberal candidate Rebecca Chartrand, marking a significant shift in the Manitoba riding.
• Peter Julian (NDP – New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville, BC): Serving since 2004, Julian lost to Liberal Jake Sawatzky, indicating changing political tides in British Columbia.
• Kamal Khera (Liberal – Brampton West, ON): A cabinet minister under both Trudeau and Carney, Khera was unseated by Conservative Amarjeet Gill, reflecting the Conservatives’ gains in the 905 region.
• Ya’ara Saks (Liberal – York Centre, ON): After serving as Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Saks lost her seat to Conservative Roman Baber, highlighting the party’s inroads into Toronto.
• Chad Collins (Liberal – Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, ON): Despite advocating for leadership change within his party, Collins was defeated by Conservative Ned Kuruc, signaling a shift in voter priorities.
• Stephen Ellis (Conservative – Cumberland-Colchester, NS): A health critic and former physician, Ellis lost to Liberal Alana Hirtle, indicating a Liberal resurgence in Nova Scotia.
• Tracy Gray (Conservative – Kelowna, BC): Gray’s defeat by Liberal Stephen Fuhr underscores the competitive nature of British Columbia’s interior ridings.
• Michelle Ferreri (Conservative – Peterborough, ON): Known for her vocal opposition, Ferreri was unseated by Liberal Emma Harrison, reflecting the riding’s bellwether status.
• Alain Therrien (Bloc Québécois – La Prairie-Atateken, QC): The Bloc’s House Leader lost to Liberal Jacques Ramsay, a family physician, indicating Liberal gains in Quebec.
• Diane Lebouthillier (Liberal – Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj, QC): A long-serving cabinet minister, Lebouthillier was defeated by Bloc Québécois candidate Alexis Deschênes, showcasing the Bloc’s resilience in certain regions.
• Brian Masse (NDP – Windsor West, ON): After over two decades, Masse lost to Conservative Harb Gill, a retired police officer, highlighting the Conservatives’ appeal in Southwestern Ontario.
• Lindsay Mathyssen (NDP – London-Fanshawe, ON): Continuing her family’s political legacy, Mathyssen was unseated by Conservative Kurt Holman, marking a significant shift in the riding.
• Mike Morrice (Green – Kitchener Centre, ON): Ontario’s first Green MP, Morrice lost to Conservative Kelly DeRidder, reducing the Green Party’s representation in Parliament.

Implications and Future Outlook

The 2025 election results have reshaped Canada’s political landscape, with the Liberals, under Mark Carney’s leadership, securing a stronger mandate. The unexpected defeats of prominent MPs across all major parties suggest a desire for change among the electorate. As parties regroup and reassess their strategies, the coming months will be pivotal in determining Canada’s political trajectory.

PM Mark Carney to meet President Trump at the White House to discuss a new trade deal amid rising tensions over U.S. auto tariffs and Canada’s pushback.

In a move that could redefine the Canada-U.S. economic relationship, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit the White House within the next week to discuss trade matters with President Donald Trump. This development follows a recent phone call between the two leaders, during which Carney expressed interest in negotiating a new trade deal.

“He called me up yesterday — he said, ‘Let’s make a deal,'” President Trump told reporters after a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The upcoming meeting comes at a time of heightened trade tensions between the two nations. In March, the Trump administration announced a 25% tariff on automobiles and automotive components, a move that drew criticism from U.S. allies and raised concerns about a potential global trade conflict.

In response, Prime Minister Carney stated, “The era of close economic integration and security cooperation with the United States has ended.” He emphasized Canada’s strategy to combat these tariffs by safeguarding domestic industries and implementing retaliatory trade measures designed to minimize domestic fallout.

Despite these tensions, both leaders have expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue. President Trump described his conversation with Carney as “very nice” and indicated optimism about future relations.

Trade experts suggest that the upcoming meeting could serve as an opportunity for both countries to address their differences and work towards a more stable economic partnership. However, they caution that any negotiations will require careful planning and a clear strategy, given the complexities of the current trade landscape.

As the date of the meeting approaches, stakeholders on both sides of the border will be watching closely, hopeful that this dialogue will lead to a resolution of ongoing trade disputes and a strengthening of bilateral ties.

MP Jamil Jivani offers bipartisan support on Canada-U.S. trade amid tensions, citing ties with U.S. VP JD Vance and commitment to protecting Canadian interests.

Conservative Member of Parliament Jamil Jivani has expressed his willingness to support the Liberal government in navigating the complex Canada-U.S. relationship, particularly in light of recent trade tensions and impending discussions between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump.

Jivani, representing Bowmanville–Oshawa North—a region deeply integrated into the North American automotive industry—emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation to safeguard Canadian economic interests.

“If the opportunity arose where I believed I could make a positive difference, I would certainly take it,” Jivani stated, highlighting his commitment to his constituents and the broader national interest.

The MP’s longstanding friendship with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, forged during their time at Yale Law School, positions him uniquely to facilitate dialogue. Jivani has previously engaged with Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, offering insights into the bilateral relationship.

While acknowledging his personal connection to Vance, Jivani underscored the need for the government to lead in improving the current strained dynamics between Canada and the U.S.

“The dynamic between our two countries is just not very good right now, and I wish the Liberal government well in working on that,” he remarked.

In a recent development, U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that auto parts compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will be exempt from the 25% tariffs set to take effect on May 3. This clarification provides relief to Canadian manufacturers and workers concerned about the potential economic impact.

Prime Minister Carney is expected to visit the White House soon to engage in discussions with President Trump, aiming to address and resolve ongoing trade issues.

As the situation evolves, Jivani’s openness to assist reflects a broader call for unity and proactive engagement to protect Canada’s economic interests and maintain strong international relationships.