Canada heads to the polls on Monday, with the nation’s political future at a crossroads, as it faces escalating threats from the United States and grapples with President Donald Trump’s trade policies, which have dominated the election discourse.
The race, once a Conservative stronghold under Pierre Poilievre, has shifted dramatically after Trump’s attacks on Canada, giving a boost to the Liberal Party led by Mark Carney. Carney, 60, a former central banker with no elected office experience, has positioned himself as the leader to counter Trump’s tariffs and diversify Canada’s economic ties beyond the U.S.
“We cannot afford to be at the mercy of a hostile neighbor,” Carney warned, stressing the need for calm leadership. “We don’t need chaos; we need an adult in charge.”
Poilievre, 45, has focused on domestic issues, arguing that Carney would perpetuate the “lost Liberal decade” under Justin Trudeau. He has criticized the Liberals for their handling of rising living costs, crime, and housing shortages, positioning himself as the antidote to Trudeau’s policies.
With polling numbers tight, Carney has emerged as the slight favorite, with surveys showing him as the best-equipped to handle the U.S. threat. However, the final outcome remains uncertain, as smaller parties like the NDP and Bloc Quebecois will play a critical role in determining the next government.
The stakes are high: with nearly 29 million eligible voters and 343 parliamentary seats up for grabs, the results could reshape Canada’s political landscape. This election will not only determine who leads Canada but also define its relationship with a newly emboldened United States.
As the polls open across the country, all eyes will be on the outcome, with the future of Canadian democracy and its global alliances hanging in the balance.
