Overview

• Mark Carney, an unelected former central banker, leads the Liberal Party in polls as early voting opens for the April 28 federal election.
• Carney has framed the election as a response to Donald Trump's 25% tariffs and annexation threats, calling it the 'biggest crisis of Canadians' lifetimes.'
• Pierre Poilievre, Conservative leader, has criticized Carney as a continuation of Justin Trudeau's policies, advocating for tax cuts and reduced regulations instead.
• Carney has pledged to implement domestic free trade across provinces by July 1 and diversify Canada's trade partnerships to reduce reliance on the U.S.
• While Carney's Liberals hold a narrow lead, the debates highlighted voter concerns over economic resilience, sovereignty, and leadership credentials.