Campaigning for Canada's April 28 snap elections kicks off

BarcelonaCanadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took office on March 14 Following Justin Trudeau's resignation, Carney has decided to bring forward the elections by six months, to April 28. Carney wants to take advantage of the favorable polls. The Canadian public broadcaster, CBC, gives his Liberal Party (PL) a 37.5% voter turnout, which would give it 174 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons. If he succeeds, it would be the party's fourth consecutive victory.

In second place, the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, is expected to win 37.1% of the vote and 134 deputies. They are followed by the pro-independence Bloc Quebecois party with 26 seats; the social-democratic New Democratic Party with seven; and the Green Party with two.

Carney also stressed the need for a strong mandate in the face of threats from US President Donald Trump. "I'm asking Canadians for a strong and positive mandate to stand up to President Trump and build a new Canadian economy that works for everyone, because I know we need change." The prime minister is the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England and must now face the trade war unleashed by Trump's tariffs.

A campaign marked by Trump's threats

The main concern of the electorate is the threats of the President of the United States in Canada, according to the latest polls. In his first two months in office, the Republican has threatened to make Canada the 51st state of the United States and impose tariffs on aluminum, steel and other metals. cars imported from CanadaThe 25% tariffs on aluminum, which are already in effect, have a serious impact on Canada, the primary supplier of this material to the United States. The tariffs on cars are initially set to take effect on April 2.

"We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetime due to President Trump's unjustifiable trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty," Carney said Sunday after announcing the election. "Trump wants to break us so the US can become the owners."

Carney also focused his speech on the economy, proposing a 1% cut in the lowest income tax bracket to "return $825 to the pockets of Canadian families," he said. During 2024, the state of the economy undermined support for the Liberals and ultimately forced Trudeau's resignation.

Canadian regulations provide for a minimum of 36 days of electoral campaigning, until April 27, and the elections will be the following day, Monday the 28th.