Amidst the ongoing trade war with the U.S., Prime Minister Mark Carney has triggered a snap election set to take place in late April.
On March 23, Carney held a news conference outside of Rideau Hall in Ottawa after meeting with Governor General Mary Simon to announce his request to dissolve the next parliamentary session, which was set to begin on March 24, and instead call an early federal election which will occur on April 28.
Although a federal election was set to occur this year, it originally was not supposed to take place until the fall. However, Carney said that his decision to call an early election centred around the ongoing trade crisis with the U.S.
Calling President Trump’s attack on Canada’s economy “the most significant crisis of our lifetimes,” Carney said that the “fair” thing to do is ensure Canadians have stable mandates and protections in place to limit the effects of the trade crisis on those whose industries are targeted most.
“We can control our destiny,” said Carney. “We can have a new Canada built by us, for us. We can give ourselves more than any foreign government can take away.”
After announcing the snap election, Carney launched into his campaign for a re-election of the Liberal government. During the news conference, he outlined a policy which would bring a tax cut to the middle class — cutting the lowest income bracket by one per cent — with the intent of building a stronger Canadian economy to match up with the threats imposed by the U.S.
The other party leaders who have begun their campaigns for the election are Pierre Poilievre, representing the Conservative Party of Canada; Jagmeet Singh, representing the New Democratic Party (NDP); Yves-François Blanchet, representing the Bloc Québécois; as well as Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, who will co-lead the Green Party of Canada.
The other party leaders responded to the federal election announcement quickly, discerning their campaign promises and electoral approaches.
There is a consensus evident among party leaders that the trade war is a top priority in campaigning for the upcoming election. At a news conference in Gatineau, Quebec following Carney’s announcement, Poilievre echoed Carney’s sentiments that Canadians can build the government’s response to the ongoing trade crisis with the U.S., using their vote to “transform [their] anxiety and anger into action.” He also said that the Liberals are not apt to fight against Trump’s threats.
When speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Singh shared similar doubts in Carney’s leadership. Referencing the need for a prime minister who will work in the best interests of Canadians amidst the trade conflict, Singh said that Carney’s career history “serving the interests of billionaires, shareholders and CEOs” puts him in a questionable position. Singh added that Poilievre would be an equally questionable leader, as “his only solution [to the trade crisis] is tax breaks for the wealthy.”
Blanchet, May and Pedneault also began their campaigns. Blanchet emphasized his commitment to protecting Quebec and its industries through attacks on the Canadian economy while the co-leaders of the Green Party said they are the only leaders who have the “courage” to tax the ultra-rich and pledge to bring “the most honest, brave and visionary Parliament” to Canadians.
Alongside the trade war with the U.S., other major points of discussion in campaigning for the federal election include trade relationships outside of the U.S., the cost of living, crime and the drug crisis.
Although the election is taking place on April 28, there are advanced polling options from April 18-21 as well as mail-in voting options that you must apply for before April 22.
For more information about how to vote in April’s federal election, visit elections.ca.