Trump looms over Canada's election as campaign begins

Canada is gearing up for a significant election as Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for a snap election to be held on April 28. This decision comes at a time when Canada is facing a trade war with the United States, and President Donald Trump has made controversial remarks suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state of America. These issues are expected to be at the forefront of voters' minds as they head to the polls. Carney, who recently took office after Justin Trudeau's resignation, is now tasked with competing against Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. The Conservative Party has been leading in national polls since mid-2023, but recent surveys indicate that the race is becoming increasingly competitive. Both candidates held their first rallies on Sunday, with Carney addressing the potential impact of US tariffs in St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. He used a sports analogy, stating, 'In this trade war, just like in hockey, we will win. ' Carney emphasized the need for a clear mandate to effectively deal with Trump, declaring, 'We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty. ' In contrast, Poilievre criticized Carney's party for failing to provide real change, accusing them of making promises that have not been fulfilled for over a decade. The Liberals, who were initially seen as unlikely to succeed in this election, now have a chance to secure a fourth consecutive term under Carney's leadership. Carney, 60, previously served as the governor of the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, but he has never held a political office before. Since taking office, he has been proactive, meeting with international leaders and making significant announcements, including a partnership with Australia to develop a new radar system in the Arctic. He also ended Trudeau's carbon tax policy, which had faced criticism from the Conservatives. Now, Carney must face the electorate, who are concerned about the changing relationship with the US and the rising cost of living. Poilievre, 45, has been trying to link Carney to Trudeau's unpopular tenure, referring to it as a 'lost Liberal decade. ' He has accused the Liberal Party of weakening Canada by blocking resource development, mismanaging immigration, and failing to adequately fund the military. Poilievre believes that the Liberal Party's globalist ideology has made Canada more vulnerable to Trump's trade war. The tariffs imposed by Trump on Canadian goods could lead to economic instability and push Canada towards a recession. On March 2, Trump placed a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, which was partially paused for a month. However, on March 12, a blanket 25% duty on all aluminium and steel imports took effect, impacting Canadian businesses. The Trump administration is expected to introduce further global tariffs soon. In response, Canada has implemented tariffs on approximately C$60 billion worth of US goods. Carney has described the trade war with the US as one of the 'most significant threats of our lifetimes. ' He stated, 'He wants to break us so America will own us. We will not let that happen. ' Carney has promised to retaliate further, although he acknowledges that Canada's response is limited due to the size difference between the two economies. Poilievre has called for a strong response to threats from the US, stating, 'We have to convert our anger and our anxiety into action. ' The election campaign will last for just five weeks, the shortest time allowed. In addition to the US-Canada relationship, the economy and cost-of-living issues will be key topics during the campaign. In Canada, voters do not vote directly for a Prime Minister; instead, they vote for a party, and the leader of the party with the most members in Parliament typically becomes the Prime Minister. Four main parties will compete in this election: the Liberals, the Conservatives, the New Democrats (NDP), and the Bloc Québécois, which focuses on Quebec's interests. The Green Party and the People's Party of Canada are also in the running. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has stated that neither Carney nor Poilievre are the right choices for Canada, accusing them of prioritizing the wealthy over ordinary Canadians. Singh emphasized, 'You deserve a prime minister you can trust to make decisions in your best interest. ' The Bloc is facing pressure from the Liberals, who are gaining support in Quebec. Their leader, Yves-Francois Blanchet, is positioning his party as a voice for industries affected by Trump's actions, such as aluminium, dairy, and lumber. The Greens are running with co-leaders for the first time, Jonathan Pedneault and Elizabeth May. Pedneault urged voters, 'We must vote now as though our country depends on it, because more than ever before, it does. ' At the time the election was called, the Liberals held 153 seats in the House of Commons, while the Conservatives had 120 seats. The Bloc had 33 seats, the NDP had 24, and the Green Party had two. As Canada prepares for this election, the BBC is eager to hear from voters across the country.