Canadians headed for polls as PM Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre head for high stake battle
PTC News Desk: Around 28 million Canadians are headed to polls to elect their next government on April 28 where incumbent Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney will face Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. The counting will begin immediately after the voting process ends and results for the first phase are likely to be announced in between 7 pm and 7:30 pm EST.
Voters across Canada are preparing to elect all 343 members of the House of Commons, with one representative chosen from each riding. The Liberal and Conservative parties remain the dominant forces in Canadian politics, and whichever secures a majority will form the next government. Mark Carney, who took over leadership of the Liberal Party from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March, appeared headed for a major electoral defeat—until tariffs imposed by Donald Trump shifted momentum in his favor. His main rival is Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
The campaigns of both Carney and Poilievre ended on a somber note following a tragic incident in Vancouver, where a man drove into a crowd at a Filipino community festival, killing at least 11 people. Both leaders offered condolences to the victims and their families. Initially, the Liberals under Carney seemed poised for a landslide loss, as frustrations over high living costs and immigration policies under Trudeau led to widespread discontent. However, Trump's aggressive trade measures have shaken the political landscape, giving the Liberals a narrow advantage and a chance at securing a fourth consecutive term.
Carney, who previously led the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England through major financial crises, warned that the U.S.'s era of global economic leadership based on trust and cooperation is ending. He framed the election as a choice over who is best suited to stand up to Trump and pledged to invest billions to reduce Canada's economic dependence on the United States.
Poilievre, a seasoned politician known for his populist rhetoric, has embraced many Trump-style policies, adopting the slogan "Canada First." He has vowed to cut foreign aid spending and eliminate the federal sales tax on Canadian-made vehicles as long as U.S. tariffs remain. Nevertheless, Trump’s aggressive moves have forced him to adjust his campaign strategy significantly.
Both Carney and Poilievre have committed to swiftly renegotiating the U.S.-Canada free trade agreement to stabilize their economies, though Carney’s background gives him an edge in handling such complex negotiations.
- With inputs from agencies
