Carney's Liberals win 3 special elections to keep majority as Canada confronts Trump threats

Canadian Prime ​Minister Mark Carney's Liberal party won ​three special elections on ‌Tuesday, maintaining Carney's ​slim majority in Parliament at a time when he has called for national unity to ‌face a worsening trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Liberal candidates won seats in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec after Carney's government first secured a majority ‌in April. The seats in British Columbia and Ontario were Liberal strongholds, but ‌in the French-speaking province of Quebec it was a tightly fought contest in a riding previously held by the Conservatives, making it the most significant win for Carney. Quebec voters ⁠will ​vote on October ⁠5 in an election the separatists are favoured to win, despite falling support for independence.

"At this ⁠consequential time for Canada, voters have placed their trust in our government's plan," ​Carney said in a statement. "Canada is being tested in a changing world," ⁠he said. "We are building our strength at home and diversifying our trading relationships abroad."

Carney broke ⁠off ​trade talks with the Trump administration last month, saying Canada had been "attacked" and that American officials did not respect the country's sovereignty. Trump issued ⁠an executive order last week changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake ⁠America and ⁠called again for Canada to become the 51st state. Another six special elections in Canada will be held in coming ‌months to ‌fill remaining vacancies.