Change needed but hard to come by: Poilievre concedes as Carney’s Liberals win historic fourth term

As the final ballots were tallied across the country, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre stepped onto the stage at Ottawa’s Rogers Centre with his wife Anaida to concede defeat in Canada’s 2025 federal election. But he vowed to continue as the leader of his party.

Poilievre, while addressing a sombre crowd, acknowledged the party's shortcomings. "We know that change is needed, but change is hard to come by," he remarked, emphasizing the need to learn from the night's outcomes to achieve better results in the future. But he highlighted the Conservative Party's gains, noting an increase of at least 20 seats from their previous count of around 120

“This country still needs change,” he said. “And we’re not done fighting for it.”


With early results showing a tight race against Liberal challenger Bruce Fanjoy, Poilievre's seat in Carleton was also under threat.

“This was about more than platforms, it was about tone and trust,” said Christina Capson, a Conservative voter from Kanata who wiped away tears after hearing of the Liberal win. “I believed in Pierre, but something got lost in translation for a lot of people

The election was significantly influenced by external factors, notably US President Donald Trump's trade policies, which became a central issue during the campaign, and Carney capitalized on this opportunity and presented himself as a unifying force against external pressures.

Carney, in his victory speech, emphasized unity and collaboration. "We will govern with inclusion and unity, working with all parties and territories," he stated, highlighting his commitment to national cohesion amidst global uncertainties.

With the Liberals maintaining power amidst both external and domestic challenges, and Conservatives regrouping under Poilievre’s leadership, the election results underscore a shifting political landscape in Canada.