With Canada’s federal election looming, both Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Prime Minister Mark Carney are making their last pitches to voters before Monday’s vote. The result of the election will be crucial in deciding who will represent Canada in future negotiations with US President Donald Trump over impending trade tariffs.
Carney canvassed in Ontario on Saturday, touting his experience navigating economic fallout from Trump’s tariffs and arguing for stable leadership in uncertain times. Poilievre focused his efforts on pushing for change after nearly a decade of Liberal rule under the previous Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Whereas the election is centered on domestic issues, a recent tragedy in Vancouver when a driver plowed into a crowd at a street festival raised eyebrows regarding its ability to swing the outcome of the election. Former central bank chief Carney invoked Canada’s national sport, hockey, in his attempt to resonate with voters, hoping to energize his base during the last hours of the campaign.
Trade war with the US is a key point of contention in the campaign. Trump’s promise to make Canada the 51st state and the imposition of high tariffs has stoked nationalism and revived the Liberal Party’s fortunes in public opinion polls. Quebec Premier Jean Charest labelled the election a referendum on whether Canada will roll over to Trump’s bullying approach.
With Canada entering the last few hours of its election campaign, foreign policy, specifically trade, is dominating the debate. Both Carney and Poilievre have pledged to renegotiate the trade agreement with the US to protect Canada from further economic instability.
