Locations Affected: Canada
What: Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has called for a snap election on 28 April for 343 seats in the House of Commons. The announcement came ahead of Parliament’s return on 24 March, following a two-month prorogation due to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation in January. Carney’s decision comes amid growing support for the Liberal Party and opinion polls suggesting the party may now have enough backing to form a majority government. His economic background has been instrumental in the Liberals’ rising popularity, with various surveys indicating that Carney is viewed as more capable than Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in handling the country’s economic challenges and trade negotiations, particularly amid escalating tensions with the United States.
Shift in Support for the Liberal Party
Background: Carney became Prime Minister after winning the Liberal Party’s leadership contest. Trudeau resigned following increasing disagreements over his policies and declining poll ratings. Opinion polls had previously suggested that the Conservative Party was on track for a landslide victory in the February 2025 elections. However, Trudeau’s sudden resignation, uncertainty in trade relations with the US, threats from US President Donald Trump to annex Canada, and Carney’s selection as the new Liberal leader have all contributed to a shift in public opinion, bringing the Liberal Party back into contention.
Main Parties and Issues in Focus
- Following the snap election announcement, a five-week election campaign has begun. The party securing a majority (170 seats) in Parliament will form the next government, and its leader will become the next Prime Minister.
- The major parties expected to participate in the election are the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, Bloc Québécois, and the New Democratic Party (NDP).
- Beyond deteriorating relations with the US, domestic issues such as immigration, housing, healthcare, military infrastructure, and energy resources will be central to the election.
