Mark Carney Calls Snap Election Amid Rising Tensions with the U.S.
Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has called a snap election for April 28, setting the stage for a contest expected to center on the country's strained relationship with the United States and concerns over Canada’s economic and political future.
“We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetime because of President Trump’s unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty,” Carney said. “He wants to break us, so America can own us. We will not let this happen. We’re over the shock of the betrayal, but we can never forget the lessons. We have to look out for ourselves. We have to look out for each other.”
Carney met with Governor General Mary Simon to request the dissolution of Canada’s 44th Parliament, initiating an election campaign that will last at least 37 days, as required by federal law. The decision allows Carney to avoid a confrontation with Parliament, which was set to reconvene after a two-month prorogation following former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement in early January. Carney does not hold a seat in the House of Commons, adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape.
His move comes as the Liberal Party experiences an unprecedented surge in the polls, overtaking the Conservatives and potentially securing enough national support to form a majority government. Before Parliament was dissolved, the Liberals held 152 seats, the Conservatives 120, the Bloc Québécois 33, the New Democratic Party 24, and the Green Party two.
Political analysts credit Carney with reversing the Liberals’ fortunes. “Carney has been the gamechanger,” said Lori Turnbull, director of Dalhousie University’s School of Public Administration. “Increasingly, this election is not about party brands but about leadership. We don’t elect our prime minister directly, but people seem poised to vote for the leader they want to see in office.”
Polls suggest that Canadians view Carney as better equipped than Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to manage economic uncertainty, trade negotiations, and relations with the U.S., where former President Donald Trump has renewed threats against Canada. Trump has repeatedly vowed to impose harsh tariffs and even floated the idea of annexing Canada, fueling widespread concerns across the country. In response, many Canadians have embraced a surge of patriotism, calls to boycott American goods, and the adoption of the rallying cry “elbows up.”
“The election will have a clear ballot question, but it isn’t just Trump—it’s uncertainty,” Turnbull said. “Trump symbolizes how vulnerable Canada is in many ways. People want a leader who can counteract that uncertainty, and polls suggest Carney offers that reassurance.”
A campaign video released Saturday night featuring Canadian actor and comedian Mike Myers has drawn significant attention, amassing over seven million views within 24 hours. In the video, Carney and Myers wear matching Team Canada ice hockey jerseys while Carney quizzes Myers on Canadian cultural references. The ad concludes with the phrase “there will always be a Canada” and the slogan “Never 51” on the back of Myers’ jersey, a direct rejection of the idea of Canada ever becoming an American state.
If the Liberals secure victory, it will be remembered as the most significant political comeback in Canada’s history, while for the Conservatives, it would mark a stunning collapse of what had once appeared to be a certain electoral win. As recently as 2023, polling aggregators projected a 99% chance of Conservative victory. However, a series of major events—including Trudeau’s resignation, Trump’s aggressive stance on Canada, and Carney’s rapid rise—has dramatically reshaped the race.
“The Conservatives seem disconnected from the current mood in Canada,” Turnbull noted. “A few months ago, Poilievre was leading discussions on affordability and housing, issues the Liberals were struggling with. But now, his message hasn’t evolved. They may believe Carney’s surge is temporary, but the data suggests otherwise.”
Poilievre has framed his campaign around a “Canada First” platform, arguing that electing the Liberals would weaken the country. “Trump has made it clear he wants a weak Canada that he can target,” he told reporters at his campaign launch. “Electing Liberals will weaken our country still. Canada will never be an American state; we will always be a sovereign and self-reliant country.”
The Conservatives have sought to blame Carney for Canada’s slow economic growth, given his past role as an economic advisor to the Liberal government. They have labeled him “Sneaky Carney” and accused him of planning to reinstate a controversial carbon tax, which he eliminated on his first day as prime minister.
“That entire strategy hinges on defining Carney in a negative light,” said Turnbull. “But it isn’t working. Poll after poll shows that voters are rejecting the Conservatives’ portrayal of Carney, and that will be crucial in the coming weeks.”
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