In a closely contested federal election, Canada’s Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, clinched a fourth consecutive term. While the Liberals secured 169 out of 343 seats, they fell three seats short of a parliamentary majority, necessitating alliances with smaller parties to govern effectively.
Despite retaining power, the party’s inability to achieve a clear majority underscores a fragmented electorate and highlights the challenges Carney faces in implementing his agenda without full parliamentary control.
Conservative Gains and Leadership Setback
The Conservative Party, under Pierre Poilievre, made notable gains, increasing their seat count to 144—a rise of 25 seats from the previous election. However, in a surprising turn, Poilievre lost his own parliamentary seat, signaling potential internal challenges for the party’s leadership moving forward.
The Trump Factor’s Influence
U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive policies, including a 25% tariff on Canadian goods and provocative remarks about annexing Canada, significantly influenced the election’s outcome. These actions galvanized Canadian nationalism, with voters rallying behind Carney’s promise to defend national sovereignty and economic independence.
READ MORE: MARK CARNEY, CANADA’S NEXT PM
Representation of Pakistani-Origin Candidates
The election saw the success of Pakistani-origin candidate Aslam Rana, who won the Hamilton Centre seat for the Liberal Party. His victory marked a significant shift, as he unseated the NDP, which had held the constituency for over two decades.
Aslam Rana, a civil engineer of Pakistani origin, has been elected as the Member of Parliament for Hamilton Centre in the 2025 Canadian federal election, representing the Liberal Party. His victory marks a significant political shift, as he unseated incumbent NDP MP Matthew Green, ending the New Democratic Party’s over two-decade hold on the riding.
Originally from Multan, Pakistan, Rana immigrated to Canada in 2003. He has been an active member of the Liberal Party since 2010 and has held various positions within the party. Prior to his election, Rana worked as a government-employed engineer in Hamilton. Demonstrating his commitment to public service, he took a one-day leave from his job to contest the elections, stating that he would resign if elected, which he did on April 29 .
Rana’s campaign focused on addressing local economic challenges, particularly those affecting the aluminum manufacturing industry in Hamilton, which has been impacted by U.S. tariffs. He emphasized the need for infrastructure development, including new construction and road repairs, to stimulate job creation and economic growth in the constituency.
His election is part of a broader trend of increased representation of Muslim and South Asian Canadians in Parliament, with at least 15 Muslim candidates elected in the 2025 elections.
Voting Patterns Among Diverse Communities
Traditionally, immigrant communities, including South Asian and Chinese Canadians, have leaned towards the Liberal Party. However, recent trends indicate a shift, with a growing number expressing support for the Conservative Party. A January 2025 survey revealed that 55% of East Asian and 56% of South Asian respondents favored the Conservatives, reflecting changing political dynamics within these communities.
As Canada navigates the complexities of a minority government, the election results underscore the nation’s evolving political landscape, influenced by both domestic shifts and international relations.
Team Mediabites congratulates Aslam Rana for winning the Hamilton Center seat and wishes him all good luck in all of his future endeavours.
