Donald Trump and Trump and Mark Carney. Credit: Shutterstock, bella1105
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to trigger a snap election this weekend, with some reports suggesting a national vote could be held on April 28, 2025.
Carney is reportedly set to approach Governor-General Mary Simon on Sunday to request the dissolution of Parliament, which would launch a five-week federal election campaign.
According to AP News, Carney stated during a visit to Edmonton, Alberta: “In this time of crisis the government needs a strong and clear mandate.”
Trump’s tariffs
President Donald Trump recently imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium, which then jumped to 50 per cent. From April 2, Trump plans to expand tariffs to nearly all Canadian products, according to AP News.
Carney has vowed to uphold equal tariffs in response, while criticising Trump’s decision to add a 10 per cent tariff on Alberta oil, which AP News reports Carney said “serves no purpose other than to raise the price to U.S. consumers”.
Trump told Fox News that he is “tougher on Canada than some of America’s adversaries,” claiming it’s “only because it’s meant to be our 51st state.”
Carney vs Poilievre
Carney, a 60-year-old liberalist and former head of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, was sworn in as Prime Minister in March after Justin Trudeau resigned in January.
His main challenger is Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party and a career politician. He has pledged to cut taxes, accelerate resource projects, and defund Canada’s public broadcaster.
In his first overseas trip, Carney met with leaders in the UK and France, and is now exploring ways to reduce Canada’s military and economic dependency on the United States, according to AP News.
As Canada heads toward an early election, which leader will voters trust more to navigate an increasingly volatile relationship with its southern neighbour?
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