Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party won a surprise majority mandate at yesterday’s Canadian election. After a hard-fought contest with incumbent Stephen Harper, Trudeau was elected Prime Minister. The win represents the first Liberal majority in 15 years.
In a speech at a Montreal hotel last night, Trudeau promised to lead an inclusive government: “Canadians have spoken,” Mr. Trudeau told a crowd of supporters. “You want a government with a vision and an agenda for this country that is positive and ambitious and hopeful. My friends, I promise you tonight that I will be that government.”
Trudeau is widely believed to want to rebuild US-Canada relations, which he has said were marred by Harper’s single-minded focus on obtaining approval for the Keystone XL pipeline.
Trudeau is opposed to the Northern Gateway pipeline, but has expressed support for the Keystone XL, Energy East and Kinder Morgan’s TransMountain pipeline projects, though he would also bring in tougher environmental review processes and a national plan to tackle greenhouse gases.
The Liberals will launch an immediate review of Canada’s regulatory process for oil and gas projects.
Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner
Sources: Financial Post, Wall Street Journal, Financial Post