A pivotal election in Canada’s history is set to shape the country’s future, with Trudeau’s resignation and Trump’s presidency casting a significant influence on the outcome.
At the start of the year, it was almost certain that Pierre Poilievre, the leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, would be the next Canadian prime minister. However, nearly a decade of ‘Justin Trudeau leading Canada and the Liberal Party had created a growing disdain for the then-prime minister.’
Pierre Poilievre is a Canadian politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Carleton since 2004.
He has been a prominent figure in the Conservative Party, holding various cabinet positions under Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Born on June 3, 1979, in Calgary, Alberta, Poilievre earned a Bachelor's degree in economics from McGill University.
He rose to prominence as the youngest MP at the time of his election and has since become known for his outspoken views on fiscal conservatism and limited government.
Then, in quick succession, ‘Trudeau resigned,’ Donald Trump became U.S. president, threatened Canada’s sovereignty, and signed an executive order implementing tariffs on imported Canadian goods. The Liberal Party of Canada got a new leader, Mark Carney, who was seen as a necessary asset – experience needed to stand up to Trump.
Donald Trump is an American businessman, television personality, and politician.
Born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968.
Trump's business career began with his father's real estate company, eventually becoming a prominent figure in the industry.
He hosted 'The Apprentice' reality TV show from 2004 to 2015 and made headlines for his presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020.
Trump served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
This election is seen as the most important in a generation for Canadians, and it has been largely defined by the question: ‘who is the right man to stand up to President Trump?’ Will it be the Liberals’ Carney or Conservatives’ Poilievre?
Mark Carney, former Governor of the Bank of England and current UN Special Envoy for Climate Action, has been a prominent figure in Canadian politics.
He has been critical of Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre's economic policies.
In response, Poilievre has accused Carney of being out of touch with Canadian values.
The debate centers around issues such as inflation, monetary policy, and climate change.
Carney has emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility and investment in renewable energy, while Poilievre advocates for lower taxes and reduced government spending.
The Candidates
There are four major political parties with candidates vying for position of prime minister. However, this is essentially a two-man race between the Liberals’ Carney and the Conservatives’ Poilievre. Sixty-year-old Carney is the former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England and a political novice.
Despite being a novice, many Canadians see his decorated career in banking and the private sector as an asset – experience needed to stand up to Trump. ‘David Coletto, a founder and CEO of Canadian polling firm Abacus Data, says that Poilievre’s setback has benefitted Carney.’ ‘Mark Carney emerged at a moment where I think more and more Canadians were looking for somebody with his experience, with his demeanor, with his approach to politics. That was very much of the moment.’
The Influence of Trump
Trump‘s influence on Canada’s election cannot be overstated. The once-commanding 25-point lead in the polls for the Conservatives disintegrated by mid-March. Now, when Canadians go to the polls on Monday, it’s anticipated that the Liberal Party will clinch a fourth term in office.
The question of ‘who is the right man to stand up to President Trump’ has become the defining issue of this election. There is a level of trust that has been lost between Ottawa and Washington that will be difficult to repair. ‘Jared Wesley, a political scientist at the University of Alberta, says,’ ‘I don’t think that the Canada-U.S. relationship will go back to the way that it was without a major change in the leadership approach.’
National UnityRegardless of which party wins Monday’s election, facing tough economic times ahead together as one country rather than regionally will remain a top priority. National unity is going to be a major issue for the prime minister no matter who wins.
In Canada’s first-past-the-post parliamentary system, voters aren’t directly casting their ballots to elect a prime minister. Instead, each citizen votes for a candidate in a political party to be a member of parliament in one of the country’s 343 ridings – or electoral districts. Then the leader of the political party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons becomes the country’s prime minister.
The results of the election will be known later on Monday evening, and whoever wins faces their first task – finding a way forward with the leader of their unpredictable southern neighbor.
- npr.org | Canadas election: All you need to know
