OTTAWA, March 24 – Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has called an early election for April 28, vowing to defend the country’s sovereignty against U.S. President Donald Trump’s annexation rhetoric.
Carney, a former central banker, was recently appointed leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, replacing Justin Trudeau. Now, he faces his first national election, bringing forward the vote from its scheduled October date.
A Campaign Against Trump’s “Threats”
Announcing the snap election, Carney said:
“I have requested the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call an election for April 28. She has agreed.”
He made it clear that the escalating tensions with Trump’s administration would be the focal point of his campaign:
“President Trump wants to break us so that America can own us. We will not let that happen.”
Trump has dismissed Canada’s borders as artificial, openly suggesting that the country should become the 51st U.S. state. His aggressive stance has also been backed by tariffs on Canadian imports, threatening to destabilize Canada’s economy.
A Deeply Divided Political Landscape
While domestic concerns like the cost of living and immigration typically dominate Canadian elections, this time, the central question is who can best handle Trump.
Carney hopes to rally Canadian patriotism behind him, countering the once-dominant Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre.
Poilievre, a veteran politician, had been the clear frontrunner before Trump’s remarks changed the political landscape. Now, the race has narrowed significantly, making it too close to call, according to political analysts.
“Many see this as an existential election, unlike anything in Canada’s history,” said Felix Mathieu, a political scientist at the University of Winnipeg.
Poilievre, often described as a populist with similarities to Trump, has attempted to distance himself from the U.S. leader, stating:
“I want the opposite of what Donald Trump wants. My campaign will focus on real economic concerns and the struggles of everyday Canadians.”
Trump Dismisses Canadian Elections
Despite his influence over the race, Trump claims not to care about the outcome, saying:
“I don’t care who wins up there. But just a little while ago, before I got involved and changed the election, the Conservative was leading by 35 points.”
Meanwhile, Trump is pushing ahead with additional tariffs on Canadian imports, set to take effect on April 2, further fueling tensions between the two allies.
High-Stakes Election Campaign Begins
With the Liberals and Conservatives locked in a tight race, smaller opposition parties could lose ground if voters rally behind one of the two main contenders to strengthen Canada’s position against Trump.
Carney will launch his campaign from Newfoundland and Labrador, while Poilievre will start in Toronto, the country’s largest city.
As Canada heads to the polls in just over a month, the election has become more than a domestic battle—it is now a fight for national sovereignty on the world stage.
