Overview

• Prime Minister Mark Carney has framed the April 28 election as a referendum on leadership, urging Canadians to give him a strong mandate to confront U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and annexation rhetoric.
• Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, with additional tariffs expected on April 2, escalating economic tensions between the two countries.
• Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre have both pledged to defend Canada’s sovereignty, though Carney has criticized Poilievre for being ideologically aligned with Trump.
• Polls show a tight race between the Liberals and Conservatives, with Trump’s actions fueling a resurgence in Canadian nationalism and improving Liberal prospects.
• The election campaign is constrained by Canada’s caretaker convention, limiting the government’s ability to make major policy decisions during the critical period of U.S.-Canada tensions.