Canada’s New Prime Minister Mark Carney Expected to Call Snap Elections Amid Trump Tensions
Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney is anticipated to announce snap elections on Sunday, seeking a stronger mandate as the country navigates a trade war and annexation threats from Donald Trump’s United States.
Carney, a former central banker, was selected by the centrist Liberal Party to succeed Justin Trudeau as prime minister. However, he has yet to face the broader Canadian electorate, a situation that will change if, as expected, he calls for early parliamentary elections on April 28, moving the vote forward from its originally scheduled date in October.
Government sources told AFP that Carney will announce his decision at 12:30 PM local time (4:30 PM GMT) in a speech to the nation. The Liberal Party, which has been in power for a decade, has seen its popularity decline in recent years. However, Carney is hoping to capitalize on a surge of Canadian patriotism fueled by Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and policies.
Trump has repeatedly challenged Canada’s sovereignty, dismissing its borders as artificial and suggesting it should join the United States as the 51st state. These remarks, coupled with his imposition of tariffs on Canadian imports, have sparked fears of economic damage and strained bilateral relations.
“In this time of crisis, the government needs a strong and clear mandate,” Carney told supporters during a speech in Edmonton on Thursday.
**Election Dynamics**
While domestic issues such as the cost of living and immigration typically dominate Canadian elections, this year’s campaign is expected to focus heavily on which leader can best handle the challenges posed by Trump. The U.S. president’s hostility toward Canada—a NATO ally and historically one of America’s closest partners—has dramatically reshaped the political landscape.
Justin Trudeau, who served as prime minister since 2015, stepped down amid declining popularity, with Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party initially seen as the frontrunner. However, since Carney took over the Liberal leadership, polls have tightened significantly, making the race too close to call.
“Many consider this to be an existential election, unprecedented,” said Felix Mathieu, a political scientist at the University of Winnipeg. “It is impossible at this stage to make predictions, but this will be a closely watched election with a voter turnout that should be on the rise.”
Key Candidates
Pierre Poilievre, 45, is a seasoned politician who was first elected to parliament at the age of 25. Known for his tough-talking style, Poilievre has been labeled by some as a libertarian and populist.
In contrast, Mark Carney, 60, has spent much of his career outside electoral politics. He worked at Goldman Sachs for over a decade before leading Canada’s central bank and later the Bank of England.
Smaller opposition parties may struggle to gain traction as voters potentially rally behind one of the two major parties to strengthen Canada’s position against Trump’s threats.
**Trump’s Stance**
Meanwhile, Trump has dismissed the significance of Canada’s election, claiming indifference to its outcome. “I don’t care who wins up there,” he said recently. “But just a little while ago, before I got involved and totally changed the election, which I don’t care about […] the Conservative was leading by 35 points.”
Despite his rhetoric, Trump has continued to push for increased tariffs on Canadian imports, with new measures set to take effect on April 2.
As Canada prepares for a pivotal election, the outcome will not only shape the country’s domestic policies but also determine how it navigates its complex relationship with the United States in an increasingly uncertain global landscape.
