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On Sunday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada would head to the polls on April 28, amid what he described as “the most significant crisis of our lifetime,” brought on by U.S. President Donald Trump. This announcement comes just two weeks after Carney succeeded Justin Trudeau as leader of Canada’s Liberal Party and two months since he entered the leadership race.
Drawing from his background as a former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, Carney vowed to implement a “middle class tax cut” and a national dental care plan, while also calling for national unity during this challenging period.
“I’m asking for your vote so we can keep Canada strong,” Carney stated.
The upcoming election will see Carney, a 60-year-old with rich Wall Street experience, go up against Pierre Poilievre, the 45-year-old leader of the Conservative Party and a veteran politician.
Carney remarked, “He (Trump) wants to bring us down so America can dominate. We won’t allow that to happen.”
In light of Trump’s threats of annexation and punitive tariffs, the Liberal Party’s popularity has surged.
Kicking off his campaign in Ottawa, Poilievre declared that Canada could not afford another four years under a Liberal government.
He asserted, “It’s time to truly put Canada first.”
Underlining his vision, Poilievre promised a new Conservative government would slash taxes, promote housing, reduce government waste, tackle crime, strengthen borders, and harness resources to reclaim jobs and stand resolutely against Trump.
Initially, the Conservatives were poised to win the upcoming general election, capitalizing on widespread dissatisfaction with the cost of living and housing challenges that have eroded support for the Liberals during Trudeau’s leadership.
Poilievre had enjoyed a comfortable 20-point advantage in the polls until Trudeau stepped down in early January and Trump’s inauguration took place that same month. However, Trump’s aggressive stance and tariff threats have united Canadians, leading to a remarkable revival of support for the Liberals.
Earlier in the month, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, in an interview with Breitbart News, mentioned she had urged the White House to consider delaying tariffs anticipated on April 2, to bolster Poilievre and the Conservative Party’s electoral prospects.
Despite the past support from Trump and his followers, Poilievre is seeking to create distance, stating on Sunday, “First of all, I’ve made it clear that I desire the opposite of Donald Trump.”
Andrew Enns of the market research firm Leger commented that the election hinges on which leader Canadians believe can best manage the economy and stand up to Trump.
“Initially, Carney appeared to have the advantage, with the government leading the response to Trump’s provocations,” Enns said.
“However, the election gives Poilievre a platform to present his case for a more robust Canadian economy, one that surpasses what the Liberals have accomplished in nearly a decade,” Enns added.
According to a Leger poll conducted last week, 42% of Canadians would cast their vote for the Liberal Party led by Mark Carney, while 39% would side with the Conservative Party. This marks the first time in recent polls that the Liberals have taken the lead, showing a 5-point increase in just one week.
Nevertheless, on Sunday, Abacus Data released a poll showing the Conservatives slightly ahead nationally at 39%, with the Liberals at 36%. Meanwhile, the New Democratic Party—an important ally for Trudeau’s government—trailed at 12%.
On Saturday, the Liberal Party announced that Carney, who currently does not hold a parliamentary seat, would be running for the Nepean constituency in Ottawa’s southwest.
“This might be the first election where the leader of the opposition is better recognized than the prime minister,” remarked David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, reflecting on Carney’s entry into the political fray.
