New Delhi: Canadians go to the polls today, as the country grapples with the aftermath of a fatal car-ramming attack on Saturday in Vancouver. The tragedy, occurring on the eve of the election, led to the suspension of campaigning for several hours. However, police ruled out terrorism and said that the suspect is a local man with a history of mental health issues.
The former prime minister, Justin Trudeau’s decision to stand down, triggered a leadership race within the Liberals. Mark Carney, the former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, won a decisive victory and was sworn in as prime minister days later. However, Carney, a political newcomer who had never previously held elected office, was in the role for only nine days before calling a snap election.
Key players and promises
Five political parties were represented in parliament before the election was called. But in most voters’ minds, there are two main choices for prime minister: Liberal leader Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
Key problems that the Canadians will keep in mind during voting:
Canada has been dealing with a cost of living crisis for some time. And more than 75 per cent of its exports go to the US, so Trump’s threat to impose sweeping tariffs and his desire to get the North American automakers to move Canada’s production south could severely damage the Canadian economy.
Both Carney and Poilievre said that if elected, they would accelerate re-negotiations for a free trade deal between Canada and the US in an bid to end the uncertainty hurting both of their economies.
There is little daylight between the federal leaders on issues of Canada’s relationship with the United States. Both the contenders have rejected the idea of Canada giving up on its sovereignty. But while both acknowledge a cost of living crisis and housing unaffordability as an issue that have left Canadians feeling worse off.
Poilievre has promised to cut regulations, diminish the role and size of government in order to facilitate homebuilding. Carney, in contrast, is leaning government as a key figure in any wide-scale building effort.
Poilievre, a brash populist and seasoned parliamentary “attack dog”, has inspired a fervent response from his supporters, who say he has given a voice to those who feel ignored and mocked by political elites.
Carney has largely run a campaign on his economic and business credentials, taking the party towards the political centre in an attempt to lure in disaffected voters from both sides of the political arena.
Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre are the most likely candidates to become the next prime minister.
What do the polls say and what is the likely outcome?
Until February, the Conservatives enjoyed a 25 point lead over the Liberals. Pollsters gave the Tories a 99% chance of winning if an election were called at the time with one of the largest parliamentary majorities in decades. But Trump’s aggressive posture towards Canada has scrambled the stakes of the election. The Conservative’s dominant lead has disappeared and now they find themselves trailing in the midst of the campaign.
