Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney has dissolved Parliament and called a snap election on April 28 to ask for a new mandate just weeks after replacing Justin Trudeau. Carney’s move, which was made on Sunday, is made at a time of increased tensions with the United States, driven by President Donald Trump’s hawkish trade policies and demands to annex Canada.
We are facing the greatest crisis of our generation due to President Trump’s unreasonable trade actions and threats to our sovereignty,” Carney said in Ottawa after he asked Parliament to be dissolved. He called upon Canadians to support his vision of a more prosperous economy and toughness against Washington pressures.
The election, initially planned for October 20, has been brought forward as the Liberal Party in power rides a crest of renewed popular support. Trudeau’s January resignation and Canada’s united stand against US tariffs have boosted the Liberals, who are now running neck and neck with the opposition Conservatives.
Trump’s comments on making Canada the “51st state” have stoked nationalist sentiment, and the central question of the election is now which leader can best deal with US-Canada relations. Carney, a past central banker, has the highest approval ratings of federal leaders and is regarded as best able to deal with Trump’s economic agenda.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, known for his combative rhetoric, has struggled to define his stance on Trump. While he criticizes the Liberals’ economic record, he faces skepticism over his ability to counter Washington’s pressure.
As tensions escalate, Carney has promised to uphold Trudeau’s tough stance, refusing annexation negotiations and imposing retaliatory measures against US tariffs. With national sovereignty on the line, the next election is turning out to be a defining test of leadership in Canadian politics.
