Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has dissolved Parliament and called for a snap election on April 28, according to Al Jazeera. The decision comes less than two weeks after Carney took office, succeeding former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Carney stated that he seeks a strong mandate to address the ongoing trade tensions with the United States, which have escalated due to President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
After meeting Governor-General Mary Simon, Carney told reporters in Ottawa:
“Canada is facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President [Donald] Trump’s unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty.”
He added:
“I’m asking Canadians for a strong, positive mandate to deal with President Trump and to build a new Canadian economy that works for everyone because I know we need change—big change, positive change.”
Election Timing & Political Landscape
The election was originally scheduled for October 20, but political analysts suggest that Carney’s Liberal Party aims to capitalize on its recent momentum.
The Liberals have been in power since 2015 but saw a surge in support after Trudeau announced his resignation in January, following repeated threats from Trump.
Currently, polls indicate a tight race between Carney’s Liberals and the opposition Conservative Party.
US Trade Tensions & Trump’s Annexation Comments
Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods and his calls to annex Canada have angered many Canadians, strengthening support for Carney’s firm stance against Washington.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the “51st state” of the US. In response, Carney firmly rejected any talk of annexation, calling it:
“Crazy. Canadian sovereignty must be respected before any talks with Washington.”
Economists warn that Trump’s tariffs could push Canada into a recession, making trade relations a major election issue.
Carney’s Leadership & Public Support
A former central banker and economist, Carney currently holds the highest approval ratings among federal party leaders, according to a recent Ipsos poll.
Many Canadians see him as the best candidate to handle Trump’s aggressive trade policies. Carney has pledged to continue countermeasures against US tariffs and protect Canada’s economy.