Canadian residents have expressed their hopes that the country's new government can reduce its dependence on the United States amid the current trade tensions and prioritize Canada's interests following Monday's hotly-contested election.
Mark Carney's Liberal Party was declared the winner of the federal election, after a hard-fought campaign dominated by the country's trade dispute with its North American neighbor and the interventions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The latest projections from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation show the Liberal Party on 168 seats, meaning they will fall short of the 172 required to command an overall majority, but marking a clear victory for the party that has governed since 2015.
Carney had only taken over as party leader and prime minister from his predecessor Justin Trudeau last month, subsequently triggering an election race that came against the backdrop of strained relations with the U.S., global economic turmoil, and a domestic cost of living crisis in Canada.
The run up to vote had seen much of the debate centering on the impact of U.S. tariffs and the controversial remarks made by President Trump, who has repeatedly stated his aim to make Canada the "51st state" of the U.S., sparking outrage among Canadian citizens.
Expressing their expectations for the future before Monday's election outcome was known, residents said they hope the next government would work to address the potentially damaging trade war with the United State and focus on assisting the Canadian people who have been impacted by the tariff dispute.
"My hope for the future government is that first it is not a Conservative government, that it is a government that will help to make Canada more independent from the United States and reduce inter-provincial trade barriers. There shouldn't be any. And keep in mind that there are people who work and whose jobs are affected. And we need to look after them also," said one resident.
These sentiments were echoed by another local, who stressed the importance of prioritizing Canadian interests while calling for stronger cooperation with emerging markets and adopting a firmer stance on the U.S. tariff policies.
"Our new government should put Canadians at first. Sure, like tap more resources, if it means creating new jobs, attracting partnerships with, let's say, Europe or with China or with Japan or like other emerging markets. Our government needs to be strong in terms of the trade and the tariff wars that's happening, and look [out] for Canadian interests and protect Canadian families per se," he said.
Canadians call for greater focus on public interests, reduced dependence on US
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday unveiled a draft 20-point peace plan for ending the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, stressing that the document remains a framework and that its provisions could be revised during future negotiations.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kiev, Zelensky said the document reflects to a large extent the shared positions of Ukraine and the United States and acknowledged that several key issues remain unresolved.
According to the president, the draft includes provisions reaffirming Ukraine' sovereignty and establishing a mechanism to monitor the contact line to ensure long-term peace. It also proposes strong security guarantees for Ukraine, maintaining the size of Ukraine's armed forces at 800,000 personnel in peacetime, and security assurances from the U.S., NATO and Europe similar to NATO's Article Five collective defense clause.
Also included in the plan are issues such as Ukraine's accession to the European Union with a clear time frame; the establishment of multiple funds totaling 800 billion U.S. dollars for economic recovery, reconstruction and humanitarian needs; accelerated negotiations on a Ukraine-U.S. free trade agreement; Ukraine's continued non-nuclear status, joint operation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by Ukraine, the U.S. and Russia, and early elections in Ukraine.
Territorial issues are also addressed in the draft, though Zelensky said they remain unresolved.
The draft also raises the possibility of establishing a "free economic zone" in the Donbas region.
On Wednesday, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would not agree to any provision requiring it to abandon its aspiration to join NATO. He said ending the conflict would require an agreement among Ukraine, the U.S., Europe and Russia, while NATO membership is a decision for NATO member states.
Zelensky added that Ukraine seeks a clear timetable for joining the European Union, which he described as the country's true security guarantees. He said the draft peace plan would be submitted to parliament for approval or put to a nationwide referendum.
On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed about contacts with President Donald Trump's envoys on U.S. proposals for a possible Ukrainian peace deal.
Russia has the conditions to clarify its position and will continue to advance the negotiation process through existing channels, according to Peskov who did not comment on the new 20-point draft plan.
"All the main parameters of the Russian side's position are well known to our colleagues from the United States," Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
Zelensky unveils new 20-point draft peace plan
