Canada: Prime minister Mark Carney to call early elections

Sunday 23 March 2025 - 12:39

By: Zahouani Ilham

Canada: Prime minister Mark Carney to call early elections

Canada is facing a period of intense political turmoil, and Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to announce early elections on Sunday, scheduled for April 28. This comes against the backdrop of a trade war and escalating tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The political crisis in Canada has been ongoing for months, with a no-confidence motion, a parliamentary blockade, and Justin Trudeau’s resignation in January due to widespread unpopularity. In recent weeks, tensions with the United States have worsened, especially after Donald Trump's return to the White House. He has initiated a trade war with Canada and has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the 51st state.

In response to these challenges, just a week into his tenure, Mark Carney, whose party holds a minority in parliament, has decided to advance the federal elections that were originally scheduled for October. Government sources confirmed this to AFP.

Carney is expected to address the nation on Sunday at 12:30 PM local time (4:30 PM GMT) to inform the 41 million Canadians of his decision.

For the past decade, the Liberal Party had been dominant, but recent events, including Trump’s interference in Canadian politics, have shifted the electoral landscape. Carney commented, "In this period of crisis, the government needs a strong and clear mandate," while on a trip to Edmonton.

In the current climate of rising patriotism, Canadians are prioritizing relations with the United States. The key question is: who can stand up to Donald Trump at the helm of Canada?

This represents a significant shift, as Canadian elections typically focus on domestic issues such as the cost of living, housing crises, and immigration. According to recent polls, the race between the Liberals and Conservatives is neck and neck, and the outcome appears uncertain.

Félix Mathieu, a political scientist at the University of Winnipeg, noted, "It’s impossible to make predictions at this point, but this will be a highly watched election with increased voter turnout." Many view this as an existential election—an unprecedented moment in Canadian politics.

The two main candidates stand in stark contrast. Conservative Pierre Poilievre, elected at age 25, is a seasoned professional politician. On the other hand, Liberal Mark Carney is a political newcomer with extensive international experience as the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. Carney is known for his cautious approach and measured speech.

Other smaller parties are expected to struggle as voters seek clear majority control. Both the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois are seeing a decline in support.

The campaign will likely revolve around trade tariffs, with Donald Trump’s proposed "reciprocal" tariffs set to take effect on April 2. Trump has already claimed responsibility for "completely altering the election," adding that he doesn’t care about the outcome.