Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to dissolve Parliament today, triggering a snap federal election six months ahead of the scheduled date. He is expected to visit Governor General Mary Simon around midday EDT to request the issuance of election writs, officially launching the campaign.
This marks Carney’s second visit to Rideau Hall in just ten days—his previous one on March 14 was for his swearing-in as prime minister following his victory in the Liberal leadership race. Instead of Parliament reconvening as planned on March 24, political parties will now shift into campaign mode, with all 343 parliamentary seats up for grabs after the latest electoral redistribution.
The election will take place on April 28, giving Canadians just five weeks to decide the country’s next leader—the shortest campaign period allowed under Canadian law. With this schedule, advance voting will coincide with Easter weekend.
Liberals Ride Momentum Under Carney’s Leadership
Carney was chosen as the new Liberal leader on March 9 after a competitive two-month race to replace Justin Trudeau. Unlike his predecessor, he currently holds no seat in the House of Commons, which may have factored into his decision to call an early election rather than attempting to govern from the sidelines.
There had been speculation that the Liberals would try to capitalize on their recent rise in public opinion polls by calling a snap election. Polling suggested that Carney, in particular, stood to benefit from an earlier vote.
Just a day before the election call, the Liberals confirmed long-rumored reports that Carney would run in the Ottawa-area riding of Nepean—neighboring the longtime Conservative stronghold of Pierre Poilievre. In a statement, Carney said he was “honored” to stand for election and called this vote “one of the most consequential in our lifetimes.”
Although the Conservatives have enjoyed a double-digit lead in opinion polls for nearly two years, the Liberals began closing the gap in late January, following Trudeau’s departure. By mid-February, surveys indicated that Carney’s leadership had pushed the party into a statistical tie with the Conservatives. Some pollsters now suggest the Liberals have edged ahead—a dramatic turnaround for a party in power for nearly a decade.
Election Amid Rising Trade Tensions
This election—the first in 12 years without Trudeau leading the Liberals—comes at a time of heightened uncertainty in Canada’s relationship with the United States. The unpredictable nature of President Donald Trump’s trade policies has cast a shadow over economic stability, and Canada is already feeling the impact.
During the Liberal leadership race, Carney was cautious about committing to an early election, citing concerns over Trump’s escalating tariff threats. However, after taking office, he signaled that Canadians should have a say in how the country navigates these turbulent times.
The campaign kicks off with Canada and the U.S. locked in a tariff dispute. Trump has imposed 25% import tariffs on non-exempt Canadian goods, along with additional levies on steel and aluminum. In response, Canada has hit back with reciprocal tariffs affecting $60 billion worth of American imports.
Adding to the uncertainty, Trump has warned of an even harsher tariff package set to take effect on April 2—just weeks before Canadians go to the polls. With economic stability at stake, trade policy is expected to be a defining issue of the campaign.
Opposition Parties Make Their Case for Change
Since taking office, Carney has already acted on key promises, scrapping the consumer carbon tax and repealing the capital gains inclusion rate increase. If re-elected, he has pledged to eliminate the GST for some first-time homebuyers—a policy Conservatives proposed last October.
Opposition leaders wasted no time responding to the election call, launching their campaigns today.
For Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, this marks his first federal election at the helm of the party. After three consecutive losses to the Liberals, he is aiming to bring an end to nearly a decade of Liberal rule. Poilievre will kick off his campaign in Manotick, Ont., where he has represented his riding for 21 years.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and Green Party co-leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault are all returning to the campaign trail. The NDP has positioned itself as a stronger contender than in past elections, boasting record fundraising levels and a fully-funded campaign.
The Bloc and Greens will both launch their campaigns from Montreal, with each party hoping to improve its standing in a political landscape now reshaped by Carney’s unexpected rise to leadership.
With the economy, trade tensions, and political leadership all on the ballot, this snap election promises to be one of Canada’s most pivotal in recent memory.
