Photo credit: www.bbc.com
Watch: What Canadians really care about – beyond the noise of Trump
Canadians are set to vote on Monday in a crucial election sharply influenced by the rhetoric of US President Donald Trump.
At the beginning of the year, the Conservative Party seemed poised for a decisive victory, but Trump’s imposition of tariffs and his remarks suggesting Canada could become the “51st state” have dramatically shifted the political landscape, reviving support for Mark Carney’s Liberal Party.
Recent polls indicate that the Liberals hold a slight edge, even as Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre asserts that his party is capable of securing a win.
The conclusion of the 36-day campaign came amid a somber atmosphere, following a tragic incident in which 11 people were killed in a car ramming attack in Vancouver.
In response, incumbent Prime Minister Carney canceled a scheduled appearance in Hamilton to address the nation, as the attack occurred at a local Filipino festival where a crowd gathered.
Poilievre, recognizing the significance of community engagement, included an additional campaign stop in Mississauga to meet with members of the Filipino community.
Later that day, Carney embarked on a series of events across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia to galvanize support in the western provinces, where Conservative backing is more pronounced.
Trump’s 25% tariffs and threats of annexation have sparked widespread outrage and reinforced Canadian nationalism, leading to manifestations such as hockey fans booing the US national anthem—demonstrating the significant strain on US-Canada relations.
Trump’s presence loomed large on the campaign trail, with many perceiving this election as a referendum on Canada’s stance regarding his administration.
Carney, during campaign events, often framed the situation as an existential threat imposed by Trump, arguing that the US leader was intent on undermining Canadian sovereignty.
Drawing from his experience as a former central banker during crisis periods, Carney positioned himself as the most capable leader to navigate the current challenges.
While campaigning in Saskatoon, he emphasized the need for Canada to forge stronger ties with reliable trade partners like the UK and the EU, asserting that the previously stable relationship with the US was fundamentally altered.
Meanwhile, Poilievre concentrated his final campaign efforts in Ontario, a crucial battleground with 122 parliamentary seats. The province represents a significant opportunity to shift the election’s outcome, as a party needs 172 seats for a majority in the 343-seat House of Commons. Currently, the Liberals hold the most seats at 152, although they would require substantial gains to retain control.
Poilievre’s campaign has been characterized by critiques of what he terms the “lost Liberal decade” under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who stepped down after facing challenges in the polls.
Framed as a candidate for change, Poilievre has capitalized on public discontent surrounding rising housing costs, affordability, and crime, making clear calls for voting him into office for tangible improvements.
Addressing supporters in Peterborough, he urged, “We need to vote for change so you can afford food and homes.”
As the race narrows between the Conservatives and the Liberals, smaller parties have struggled to maintain visibility.
The New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jagmeet Singh, faces potential losses as it trails behind the Bloc Québécois, which only fields candidates in Quebec.
Singh canceled several campaign events following the Vancouver attack, having been present at the Lapu Lapu festival shortly before the tragedy occurred. He appeared deeply affected while addressing the media afterward.
Throughout his campaign, Singh has called for electoral support for NDP candidates, aiming to serve as a counterbalance to power in Ottawa.
The Bloc Québécois has also faced challenges, as fears stemming from Trump’s rhetoric have heightened anxiety among voters, leading many to gravitate towards the larger federal parties.
Canada’s political history has predominantly been shaped by Liberal and Conservative governments.
Despite Trump’s significant impact on the election discourse, he has refrained from commenting on the potential outcomes.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently reiterated the administration’s stance, suggesting that “the president has stated repeatedly he thinks Canada would be better off as a state.”
Voting will commence at 08:30 local time on Monday in Newfoundland and Labrador (12:00 GMT), spanning across six time zones, with the final polls closing in British Columbia at 19:00 PST (03:00 GMT on Tuesday).
Notably, a historic number of Canadians—exceeding 7 million—have already participated in advance voting.
Source
www.bbc.com