Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, and his Conservative rival, Pierre Poilievre, have commenced their election campaigns amidst ongoing trade tensions and annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Carney announced a 37-day election period, culminating in a vote on April 28.
Prior to Trump’s declaration of a trade war, the ruling Liberals were facing a potential defeat. Trump has repeatedly suggested Canada should become the 51st U.S. state and has openly acknowledged his impact on Canadian politics.
Trump’s persistent attacks on Canadian sovereignty have sparked outrage among Canadians, resulting in a surge of support that has boosted the Liberal’s standing in polls.
” claims that Canada isn’t a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen,” Carney stated.
Before Justin Trudeau’s resignation in January and Trump’s trade war declaration, the Liberals seemed headed for a historic defeat. Carney has stated the government requires a strong mandate during this crisis.
“The next election will be one of the most consequential in our lifetimes,” he shared on social media.
The election campaign for the 343 seats in the House of Commons will span 37 days. While other parties are participating, the Liberals and Conservatives are the primary contenders for forming the next government. The party securing a majority in Parliament, either independently or through a coalition, will form the government, with its leader becoming the prime minister.
Carney succeeded Trudeau, who resigned in January but remained in office until the Liberal Party chose a new leader on March 9, following a leadership contest.
The opposition Conservatives initially aimed to focus the election on Trudeau, whose popularity had waned due to rising living costs and increased immigration. However, after decades of stability, the election is now expected to center on which leader is best suited to navigate relations with Trump.
Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum and is threatening on all Canadian products, as well as those of America’s other trading partners, starting April 2.
Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader, is Carney’s main competitor. Poilievre and his party were poised for a significant victory in the Canadian federal election until Trump’s trade and annexation threats disrupted their momentum.
Poilievre has pledged to confront Trump, but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, a conservative ally, suggested Poilievre would be “very much in sync” with the “new direction .”
“I will insist the president recognizes the independence and sovereignty of Canada. I will insist he stops tariffing our nation,” Poilievre declared during his campaign launch.
Poilievre stated he disapproves of “the treatment that he has meted out to our country.”
“I know a lot of people are worried, angry and anxious. And with good reason as a result of the president’s unacceptable threats against our country,” he said.
“You are worried about your job and the sovereignty of our nation. And you are angry at the feeling of betrayal that these unacceptable words and tariffs have made us all experience. I share your anger and I share the worry about our future.”
Carney has not yet spoken with Trump, and a phone call may not occur until after the election. Trump by calling him governor, but he has not yet mentioned Carney’s name.
Carney, 60, led the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis. In 2013, he became the first non-UK citizen to head the Bank of England, where he helped manage the impact of Brexit.
Poilievre, 45, a career politician and outspoken populist known for his aggressive tactics, pledges to prioritize “Canada first.” He plans to defund Canada’s public broadcaster and will not allow media access to his campaign vehicles.
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