The year brought with it a surge in patriotism, thanks in part to Canadian comedian Mike Meyers who set off a movement with the words 'elbows up.'Matt Mills McKnight/Reuters
The political ground shifted for Canada in many ways in 2025.
Six days into the new year, Justin Trudeau delivered his resignation after nearly 10 years as prime minister. Waiting in the wings was a former central banker, who would later lead the federal Liberals to a remarkable turnaround at the polls, months after the party’s political obituary had all but been written.
Then, of course, there was Donald Trump, his 51st state jabs and the litany of tariff-related threats and orders he wielded over the course of the year. The U.S. President’s posture toward Canada has kept the country on edge and ignited a patriotic fervour that has gone beyond rhetoric and has had measurable economic effects.
Here are some of the biggest political stories in Canada (and beyond) that helped define 2025.
Trudeau resigns
With Rideau Cottage as his backdrop, Mr. Trudeau announced his plan to step down on Jan. 6, bowing to internal pressure after months of resistance. His departure was already telegraphed before the new year. His former right-hand and finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, helped set in motion his exit after she issued a public rebuke of Mr. Trudeau’s policies hours before she was supposed to deliver the government’s fall economic statement.
In the aftermath, Mr. Trudeau said he wouldn’t quit but would take time to reflect on the events that day. His eventual resignation would land on the same day he was due to meet with his caucus. He had been expected to face more calls to step down.
Trump signs order to impose tariffs on Canada
Call it the opening salvo of the White House’s tariff campaign. Mr. Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 1, calling for 25-per-cent tariffs to be imposed on Canada and Mexico. He made good on a promise to hit his country’s largest trading partners with steep levies ostensibly over the flow of fentanyl and irregular crossings into the United States. In Canada’s case, the Trump administration vowed most Canadian goods would face a 25-per-cent levy. Carve-outs, set at 10 per cent, would be given for energy, critical minerals and potash.
Saturday Night Live Musical guest Tate McRae, host Shane Gillis and special guest Mike Myers close out the show on March 1.NBC/Getty Images
‘Elbows up’ becomes a rallying cry
When actor Mike Myers got on stage for Saturday Night Live in March, little did he know he was about to spark a movement with two words: “elbows up.” In an interview with CBC, the former SNL member said he acted on impulse when he mouthed “elbows up” as he closed out the show. The hockey term – which refers to a way for players to defend themselves against an opponent – has since become a defiant rallying cry for Canadians fed up with the Trump administration’s annexation threats and tariffs.
Then-prime-minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Mark Carney after he was named the winner of the Liberal leadership race on March 9.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
Carney elected Liberal Leader
Two-time central banker Mark Carney had passed over a chance to be part of Mr. Trudeau’s cabinet more than a year ago, signalling he may have had his sights set on a different job. Between the release of his book Values: Building a Better World for All, a manifesto of sorts, and his decision to chair Mr. Trudeau’s economic task force, Mr. Carney had been openly toying with the idea of a run for political office.
A day after Mr. Trudeau set the stage for his departure, Mr. Carney said he was considering a run for his now-predecessor’s job. He soft-launched his bid on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, setting off a buzzy run that culminated in his landslide victory in early March. Pitching himself as a strong steward of the economy, Mr. Carney beat out Ms. Freeland and another Trudeau-era minister, Karina Gould, on the first ballot of the Liberals’ leadership race. He won the race on March 9 with a whopping 85.9 per cent of the vote, having never held political office.
Mr. Trump holds up a board on April 2 outlining his administration's plans to impose global tariffs on many of his country's trading partners.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Trump marks ‘liberation day’
Mr. Trump proclaimed April 2 “liberation day,” pledging to remake trade by unleashing sweeping global tariffs, including on islands inhabited only by penguins. Canada was spared from the brunt of those tariffs, but the relief for businesses reliant on the U.S. for trade has been short-lived.
Liberal supporters watch the election-night results come in at the party's campaign headquarters in Ottawa.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Carney leads Liberals to a comeback
Tie it to the Trump effect. With Mr. Carney at the helm, and the spectre of Mr. Trump hanging over the election, the federal Liberals were able to pull off a fourth consecutive mandate on April 28, a rarity in Canadian politics. It was also a sharp reversal of fortunes for a party that had been consistently trailing the Conservatives.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre made cost of living one of his signature issues. But it was Mr. Carney who was able to cast himself as the crisis manager Canada needed in the face of affordability concerns and Mr. Trump’s annexation threats. He was also able to neutralize another one of Mr. Poilievre’s line of attacks when he repealed the consumer carbon price in one of his first acts in March.
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre and his wife, Anaida Poilievre, wave to his supporters on April 29. Mr. Poilievre lost the seat he held for 20 years.Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
Poilievre loses his seat
For 20 years, Mr. Poilievre had cemented himself as the MP for Carleton in the Ottawa riding’s current and past configurations. That changed in the early-morning hours of April 29, when he was unseated by a Liberal underdog, Bruce Fanjoy. There were already rumblings leading up to election day that his seat was perhaps not so secure. But the vote tally was no less shocking.
With the Liberals under Mr. Trudeau trailing in the polls just months before, Mr. Poilievre had been widely expected to be Canada’s prime minister in the next election.
Mr. Carney rises during a vote for Bill C-5, legislation to fast-track major projects, in the House of Commons on June 20.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Carney’s ‘nation-building’ drive
The Prime Minister’s signature legislation, Bill C-5, which calls for fast-tracking “nation-building” projects, passed on June 26. The bill was on a legislative fast-track as well. Mr. Carney was racing to get it through before Canada marked its 158th birthday.
Mr. Carney has billed the campaign as a way for Canada to finally create one economy out of 13, to cut the red tape for getting big projects built and, in the process, reduce its dependency on the U.S.
The bill itself, along with its Ontario equivalent, Bill 5, has had its share of detractors. Nine First Nations in Ontario are taking the province and Ottawa to court over the laws, arguing they’re not on solid constitutional ground because they allow development to be pushed through without proper consultation with Indigenous Peoples.
Mr. Trudeau poses for a photo with Katy Perry in Tokyo. Ms. Perry posted a carousel of images of her trip on Dec. 6.@katyperry/Supplied
Trudeau in his ‘divorced dad’ era
The former prime minister and pop star Katy Perry turned heads when Mr. Trudeau was spotted at Ms. Perry’s concert in July. The two were later found dining at a high-end restaurant in Montreal, fuelling rumours of a budding romance. While neither party has officially confirmed nor denied they’ve coupled up, the two have been taking their adventures abroad.
Most recently, Mr. Trudeau was featured in carousel of images Ms. Perry posted on Instagram marking her tour stop in Japan. Many media outlets have been having fun dissecting the pair’s romance. A number of outlets have declared that the former prime minister is in his “divorced dad” era.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Mr. Carney display a memorandum of understanding they signed in Calgary on Nov. 27. The energy deal outlines the conditions for a pipeline to the West Coast.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
Alberta and Ottawa make nice
Alberta has long been a thorn in Ottawa’s side. For the province, the reverse could be said of the federal government, too. So when Alberta Premier Danielle Smith appealed for patience when Mr. Carney unveiled his first batch of major projects in September without plans for a pipeline, eyebrows were raised.
Ms. Smith’s patience appears to have paid off: Mr. Carney and the Premier signed a memorandum of understanding, which both governments touted as a way for Canada to position itself as a global energy superpower.
The deal, which outlines the conditions for a new oil pipeline to the West Coast, marked both a significant shift in Ottawa’s relations with Alberta and in the federal government’s climate policy.
Mr. Carney embraces Ontario MP Michael Ma at the Liberal caucus holiday party on Dec. 11, the day the former Conservative announced he was crossing the floor.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
One-time Conservative MPs cross the floor
Once again, Mr. Poilievre’s loss has been Mr. Carney’s gain. In April, the Liberals came close to securing a majority mandate. But discontent with Mr. Poilievre’s leadership in recent months has started to change the math in Parliament.
With two MPs elected under the Conservative banner crossing over to their side, the Liberals are now just one seat shy of the majority that eluded them on election night. First it was Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont, who switched sides on Nov. 4, the same day Mr. Carney delivered his first budget.
Then first-time Ontario MP Michael Ma said on Dec. 11 that he, too, was leaving the Conservatives. Since then, the Liberals have not been shy about hinting that more floor-crossings may be coming.
With reports from Robert Fife, Stephanie Levitz, Steven Chase, Emma Graney, Ian Bailey, Bill Curry, Marieke Walsh and Emily Haws