By Jawed Anwar

THE Liberal Party of Canada, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, won the 2025 Federal Election held on April 28, 2025. They formed a minority and unstable government, securing 169 seats—three short of the 172 needed for a majority.

This marks the fourth consecutive victory for the Liberals and the third consecutive minority government. To govern, they will need the support of either the NDP or Bloc Québécois—what Canadian politics often calls a “dancing partner.”

The Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, gained 144 seats, an increase of 24 from the previous election.

In terms of the popular vote:

• Liberals received 43.7%
• Conservatives received 41.3%

This surge shrank the vote share of the NDP, Bloc Québécois, and Green Party—parties that now enter Parliament more like side garnishes ("chutney and pickles") alongside the main course of political power.

In the 2021 federal election, the Liberal Party under Justin Trudeau had won 160 seats, three more than in 2019, but still short of the 170 needed for a majority. They had secured 32.6% of the vote, while the Conservative Party actually had a slightly higher share at 33.7%, but won only 119 seats. This again highlighted the influence of Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system, where the number of seats does not always reflect the popular vote.

In the 2025 election:

• Bloc Québécois: 22 seats
• NDP: 7 seats
• Green Party: 1 seat

No other party—despite decades of effort—secured even a single seat, nor did any independent candidates. Collectively, they garnered only 1.1% of the vote.

The pattern remains consistent across past elections.

This electoral system has operated since 1867, with no fundamental change to its structure. While party names may evolve slightly, the system and its dominant players have remained the same.

History:

• Liberal Party: 23 victories (First in 1874)
• Conservative Parties (including earlier variants): 18 victories (First in 1867)
• Progressive Conservative Party: 6 victories (First in 1957)
• Unionist Coalition: 1 victory (1917, during WWI—a temporary alliance of Conservatives and pro-conscription Liberals under Robert Borden)

For the past 158 years, Canada has effectively functioned as a two-party system. Unless the electoral framework and the system change, the next 158 years will likely follow the same trajectory.

Those attempting to form new parties or run independently, hoping to bring about systemic change from within, are sadly living in a fool’s paradise.

Any party or movement that holds an ideological stance outside the accepted boundaries of nationalism, democracy, secularism, liberalism, capitalism, and increasingly Zionism, will find no space in this system.

The Path to Real Change

True change can only come from outside the system, following the Prophetic model (Sunnah). The Prophets of Allah challenged the systems of their time externally, without compromising their mission or beliefs. While few Prophets were able to establish the Deen of Allah (the Kingdom of God on Earth), none deviated from the path—regardless of the circumstances.

The leaders of the Quraish once sent ‘Utbah ibn Rabi‘ah to offer the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

• Kingship and leadership over Makkah
• Unlimited wealth
• Marriage to any woman of his choice

The Prophet ﷺ listened silently and then rejected the offer, responding with the recitation of Qur'anic verses from Surah Fussilat (41:1–13), including:

“But if they turn away, then say, 'I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt [that struck] ʿĀd and Thamūd.’”
(Surah Fussilat 41:13, The Clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab)

Here in Canada, we witness many Muslims selling their faith (Iman) and conscience (Zameer) just to win party nominations. Some even stand shoulder to shoulder with leaders of the fahish communities. Alarmingly, even some religious scholars are not exempt.

As informed and committed Muslims, part of the Prophetic missionary Ummah, our relationship with political leaders must remain that of Da’ee (inviter) and Mad’oo (the invited)—calling them toward the Islamic way of life.

The True Political System: Khilafah

The complete Islamic system of governance is Khilafah—Allah’s Kingdom on Earth—based on three foundational principles:

1. Tawheed: The Oneness of God, the Universe, and Humanity. Sovereignty belongs only to Allah. He alone is the Law-Giver.
2. Risalah: Leadership belongs to the Prophet ﷺ. We follow his footsteps—the Sunnah.
3. Akhirah: Our policies should aim to facilitate success in the Hereafter, helping people find the path to Al-Jannah (Paradise).