Millions of Canadians will be heading to the polls on April 28 for a snap federal election.
Prime Minister Mark Carney met with the governor general on Sunday and asked her to dissolve Parliament.
Carney stressed how important this election is, highlighting Canada’s need to tackle economic challenges together, like the U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
“Trump claims that Canada isn’t a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen,” Carney said during his speech on Sunday.
It is just one day before MPs were scheduled to return to Ottawa after Parliament was prorogued in early January.
This also comes just over a week after Carney was officially sworn in as prime minister after winning the Liberal leadership race.
The Liberals have been polling better since former prime minister and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau announced he was stepping down.
Dr. Tom Urbaniak, a political science professor at Cape Breton University, said he has never seen a party rebound like this in such a short amount of time.
“Incumbents were announcing they weren’t going to re-offer, and some Liberals are changing their minds. I think even the party themselves in their most optimistic moments did not imagine such a turnaround,” he said.
Urbaniak added it will be an election campaign like no other, and he wonders what the Conservative messaging will be.
At dissolution, the Liberals held 152 seats, the Conservatives had 120, the Bloc Québécois held 33, the NDP had 24 and the Green Party held two. There were three independent MPs and four vacant seats.
During his speech, Carney also stressed the importance of addressing key issues, such as economic challenges and trade tensions with the United States.
“Our response must be to build a strong economy and a more secure Canada,” he said.
The prime minister outlined his government’s recent actions, including reversing an increase in the capital gains tax to encourage housing development, expanding dental care to millions of Canadians, and committing to eliminate federal barriers to interprovincial trade by July 1.
“Together, we will push to create one Canadian economy by Canada Day because we are stronger together,” Carney said.
Calling a snap election means Carney won’t need to present a throne speech or face confidence votes. He also doesn’t currently have a seat in the House of Commons.
Meanwhile, other party leaders have also launched their campaigns. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is calling for change, criticizing the Liberal government for rising costs and economic struggles.
“After 10 years of Liberals, we’ve seen a lost decade. Housing costs have doubled, food prices have skyrocketed, and taxes have driven up the cost of living,” Poilievre said during a campaign stop yesterday.
He pledged to cut taxes, build homes, and secure borders, promising leadership that puts Canada first.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh kicked off his campaign by emphasizing fairness and inclusivity.
“My parents chose Canada because they believed in the promise of a country where if you worked hard, you can build a good life,” Singh said.
He outlined his party’s commitment to universal healthcare, affordable housing, and workers’ rights, vowing to fight for everyday Canadians.
With affordability and the economy taking center stage, Canadians will be watching closely as the campaigns unfold ahead of the April 28 election.
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