Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a federal election after meeting with Governor-General Mary Simon on Sunday to request the dissolution of Parliament. Carney, seeking a mandate to address ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. under President Donald Trump, stated his intention to build a fairer Canadian economy.
The election, set for April 28, will see him compete against Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre.
Carney took office in March after Justin Trudeau resigned amid declining poll numbers and internal party tensions. While early polling showed a strong Conservative lead, Liberal support has grown following Trump’s trade policies and perceived threats to Canada’s sovereignty. Carney framed the election as a battle to protect the nation’s economic and political independence, accusing Trump of undermining Canada’s status.
Poilievre, launching his campaign with a “Canada First” message, criticized Carney as Trudeau’s handpicked successor and argued he was unprepared to handle Trump. He vowed to uphold Canadian sovereignty and strengthen the nation’s independence in international relations. Meanwhile, Carney suggested Poilievre aligned too closely with Trump, particularly on issues like foreign aid cuts.
In his campaign launch, Carney emphasized his economic expertise, promising a middle-class tax cut, reduced internal trade barriers, and diversified global trade partnerships to reduce reliance on the U.S. He underscored the urgency of economic reforms, stating that Canada must take decisive action to secure its future.
