• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called a snap election for April 28, seeking a strong mandate to counter U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade threats.
  • Carney proposed cutting the lowest income tax bracket by one percentage point as part of his campaign to strengthen Canada's economy.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election for April 28, citing the need for a strong mandate to counter U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic and political threats.

Carney accused Trump of trying to weaken Canada, stating,

“He wants to break us so America can own us.”

The election, originally scheduled for October 20, comes as Carney’s Liberal Party sees a surge in the polls following months of escalating tensions between Ottawa and Washington.

Trump has imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum and threatened additional duties on dairy and lumber.

Economic and Political Stakes Rise

Upon taking office on March 14, Carney initially struck a conciliatory tone towards Trump, but on Sunday, he adopted a more confrontational stance.

"We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty," he said after securing approval for the election from the Governor General.

Carney positioned his campaign as a fight for economic resilience and national security. His platform includes cutting the lowest income tax bracket by one percentage point, aiming to appeal to voters worried about financial stability.

Polls Show Tight Race

Recent polling suggests the Liberals, in power since 2015, have regained ground on the opposition Conservatives. An Angus Reid poll found the Liberals at 42% and the Conservatives at 37%.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, an experienced politician, has sought to portray Carney as an elitist continuing Trudeau-era policies.

"What we need to do is put Canada first for a change," Poilievre said, vowing tax cuts and resource expansion to boost investment.

With just five weeks until election day, Carney faces his first political campaign, navigating both economic pressures and the challenge of securing public confidence.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah