Canada is set to hold a snap election on April 28, called by newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney, just nine days after he was sworn in following Justin Trudeau's resignation. The election comes at a time of heightened tension, with Canada grappling with a trade war with the US and President Donald Trump's recent calls for the country to become the 51st American state—issues that are expected to dominate the election campaign.
Carney, a former governor of both the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, now faces a crucial challenge against Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, whose party had been leading national polls since mid-2023. However, recent polling indicates that the race has tightened, with the two parties now neck-and-neck.
Speaking in Ottawa on Sunday, Carney emphasized the importance of securing a clear mandate to confront the growing tensions with President Trump. “We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty,” Carney stated, underscoring the urgency of addressing the economic and diplomatic challenges posed by the US.
Despite being a political newcomer, Carney’s leadership has reinvigorated the Liberal Party, which had been written off in previous months. With Carney at the helm, the Liberals now have a chance of securing a fourth consecutive term in government.
Carney, 60, has made a high-profile debut in his short time as prime minister, meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. He also visited Canada’s Arctic to announce a partnership with Australia to develop a new northern radar system.
Now, with the election campaign in full swing, Carney must contend with concerns over Canada's increasingly strained relationship with the US, as well as the rising cost of living within the country.
In response, Conservative leader Poilievre, 45, has been quick to tie Carney to Trudeau’s legacy, accusing the Liberals of a "lost decade" and claiming that their policies weakened the country. Poilievre, who has criticized the Trudeau government for blocking resource development and mismanaging key sectors like immigration and the economy, argues that Canada's "post-national globalist ideology" has made it more vulnerable to Trump’s trade war.
The ongoing trade dispute with the US remains a central issue, as President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods have intensified economic instability. On March 2, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, later partially suspending it for a month. On March 12, a blanket 25% duty on aluminium and steel imports took effect, further impacting Canadian importers and potentially pushing the country towards a recession.
With the election fast approaching, the race for the future of Canada's political and economic direction is set to be closely contested, with the outcome likely to hinge on how voters perceive the leadership’s handling of international relations and domestic challenges.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)