Mark Carney’s road to victory in the Liberal leadership ran through Canada’s wealthiest and most elite communities.
A breakdown of the official Liberal Party of Canada leadership results shows that Mark Carney’s biggest backers aren’t working-class Canadians struggling with the cost of living, but rather those who’ve been immune to the economic harms of the last decade.
The top 20 ridings that delivered the most votes for Carney in his landslide victory as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s replacement are home to multimillion-dollar estates, private schools, and well-connected insiders—people unlikely to feel the sting of Liberal economic policies.
Carney’s strongest support came from exclusive luxury communities like Toronto’s Rosedale, Ottawa’s Rockcliffe Park, and Canada’s wealthiest municipality, West Vancouver.
One of his biggest strongholds was Chrystia Freeland’s riding of University—Rosedale in Toronto, where the average household income is $89,300 according to Elections Canada. This riding includes Rosedale, one of the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, and Forest Hill South, known for its private schools and grand estates—hardly areas where the average working-class Canadian resides.
Another major base of support was West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, where the average income is $73,200 based on 2021 census data. West Vancouver itself has earned the title of being Canada’s “most affluent” municipality, home to hilltop mansions, oceanfront properties, and elite communities like the British Properties and Altamont.
Carney also performed well in Toronto—St. Paul’s, one of the country’s highest-earning ridings, where the median income is $105,400 according to Elections Canada.
Other key ridings where he saw strong support include Carleton, Vancouver Quadra, and Ottawa–Vanier–Gloucester.
Ottawa–Vanier–Gloucester, in particular, yielded the second-highest number of Carney supporters. This riding stands out as it includes Rockcliffe Park, one of Canada’s most exclusive and politically powerful neighbourhoods.
Rockcliffe Park is home to former prime ministers, ambassadors, high-powered judges, and other key figures in the nation’s capital. Its tree-lined streets feature grand estates, historic mansions, and luxury properties worth several million dollars.
Right next to Rockcliffe Park is New Edinburgh, home to Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General of Canada—another affluent Ottawa neighbourhood within the riding.
Unlike other parts of the country, these communities have largely been shielded from economic downturns, maintaining their status as symbols of wealth and influence. Carney’s overwhelming support from these elite areas reinforces the notion that his backers come primarily from Canada’s financial and political establishment, rather than a broad working-class movement.
Polls also suggest that Carney’s political appeal has yet to resonate with younger Canadians. While older, established voters over 55 view him as a symbol of stability and experience, younger Canadians remain sceptical about what he has to offer.
The latest Leger poll shows that only 27 per cent of 18-34-year-olds would vote for his Liberals—significantly lower than his 40 per cent support among voters aged 55 and older. In contrast, Conservative leader Piere Poilievre Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party is much stronger among young voters, earning 39 per cent support from the 18-34 age group.
Given Carney’s backers, younger voters may have a good reason for their doubts: If he is overwhelmingly representing Canada’s wealthiest communities, can he truly address the interests of everyday workers, lower-income families, and the next generation struggling to afford a home?
