Canada is heading to the polls on April 28 after newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney called a snap election just nine days into office. The move comes amid rising tensions with the United States, including a trade war and controversial comments from Donald Trump, who suggested Canada should become America’s 51st state.
Carney, a Liberal and former central bank chief, stepped in following Justin Trudeau’s resignation. Though relatively untested in politics, Carney now faces a fierce challenge from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, in what is shaping up to be a tight race. US-Canada Trade War Takes Center Stage
The backdrop of this election is unprecedented. President Trump has hit Canadian goods with 25% tariffs, triggering retaliatory tariffs from Canada on C$60 billion worth of US products. More tariffs are expected in early April.
At a rally in St. John’s, Carney told supporters:
“He [Trump] wants to break us so America will own us. We will not let that happen.”
Carney has vowed to defend Canadian sovereignty and expand retaliatory measures—though he admits Canada has limited economic firepower compared to the US.
Poilievre, in turn, accused the Liberals of making Canada more vulnerable with their “post-national globalist ideology”, blaming them for economic stagnation, weakened military funding, and poor immigration planning.
“We must become strong, self-reliant, and sovereign,” he told a crowd in Toronto.
Political Battleground: Who’s Running?
Canada’s federal election doesn’t directly elect a prime minister—voters choose Members of Parliament, and the leader of the party with the most seats typically forms the government.
Main parties:
- Liberals (Mark Carney)
- Conservatives (Pierre Poilievre)
- New Democratic Party (NDP) – Jagmeet Singh
- Bloc Québécois – Yves-François Blanchet
- Green Party – Jonathan Pedneault & Elizabeth May (co-leaders)
- People’s Party of Canada
The NDP and Bloc Québécois are hoping to capitalize on dissatisfaction with both major parties. Singh blasted the Liberals and Conservatives for protecting elites, while Blanchet positioned himself as Quebec’s defender against US tariffs on key sectors like aluminium and dairy.
The Greens, running with a dual leadership model, emphasized climate urgency and national responsibility in their campaign launch.
