By AFP
March 30, 2025

Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal leader Mark Carney has taken a strong lead in polls heading into a second week of the election campaign - Copyright AFP ANDREJ IVANOV
Marion THIBAUT
Four weeks before Canadians vote in a general election where threats by US President Donald Trump have taken center stage, Mark Carney has led a Liberal resurgence to take the lead in polls over his main rival, Conservative Pierre Poilievre.
Since coming to office in January, the US leader has threatened the Canadian economy with high tariffs and repeatedly called for the country to surrender its sovereignty and become a part of the United States.
Experts agree that the main question facing Canadians when they cast their ballot on April 28 will be who — current Prime Minister Carney or Poilievre — can push back against Trump.
“The economy is the biggest issue for me in this election, including the whole free trade thing with the United States,” Ottawa voter Carol Salemi told AFP.
“We need some sort of negotiation (with the US) and we need a strong leader to do that,” she said.
Danielle Varga, 22, echoed that viewpoint, saying Canada needs “someone that’s strong against America. It feels like everyone’s on that same page, which is good.”
At the moment, former central banker and political novice Carney, who took over from Justin Trudeau as PM in mid-March, appears to fit the bill.
The 60-year-old has taken the country by storm, completely reversing the fortunes of the Liberals who under a beleaguered Trudeau were headed for an electoral wipeout.
He is now leading in the polls and, observers say, has a good chance of forming a majority government.
“This is the most important election of our lifetime,” Carney told campaign volunteers in Ottawa on Saturday. “It’s critical in redefining our relationship with the United States (and) redefining our economy on our own terms.”
Carney interrupted his campaign this week after Trump announced plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on car imports, coming on the heels of levies on steel and aluminum.
Trump said he had an “extremely productive” first call with Carney on Friday, adding that the two leaders “agree on many things.”
That was a stark change in tone from a US president whose dealings with Trudeau had been frosty, and it was immediately picked up on north of the border.
– ‘Exceptional time for Canada’ –
Conservative leader Poilievre launched his campaign with an emphasis on tax cuts, affordable housing and development of Canada’s resource riches.
The 45-year-old career politician has sought to dispel comparisons with Trump — both right-wing populists — that have dimmed his appeal in Canada.
“President Trump has said he wants the Liberals back in power. We know why, because they will keep Canada weak and keep our investment flowing out of this country, to the US,” he said at a campaign stop in Toronto on Sunday.
Other parties such as Jagmeet Singh’s leftist New Democratic Party and the separatist Bloc Quebecois led by Yves-Francois Blanchet have struggled to be heard, as voters focus on the two frontrunners in this time of crisis.
“This is truly an exceptional time for Canada,” said Ottawa University politics professor Genevieve Tellier, adding: “Canada is looking for a savior.”
In a sign of the tensions, Carney declared on Thursday after Trump’s latest tariffs announcement that the era of deep economic, security and military ties between Canada and the United States “is over.”
Tellier said Carney’s “firm tone” and explanation that “relations with the United States would never be the same again” seem to be resonating with voters.
Those remarks have “captured the current mood in Canada,” she said.
Voters are turning to Carney because “they want security and a reassuring figure in times of crisis,” added Daniel Beland of McGill University in Montreal.
In a country of 41 million people, 343 seats are at stake in this year’s snap election. The party that wins a majority will form the next government, and its leader will become prime minister.
If no party gains a clear majority, the party with the most seats will be invited to attempt to form a coalition government with the help of smaller parties.
Economy and especially Trump: Canadians’ thoughts on campaigns
By AFP
March 30, 2025

Canada's Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks at a rally in February 2025 in Ottawa - Copyright GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Four weeks before Canadians vote in a general election where threats by US President Donald Trump have taken center stage, Mark Carney has led a Liberal resurgence to take the lead in polls over his main rival, Conservative Pierre Poilievre.
Since coming to office in January, the US leader has threatened the Canadian economy with high tariffs and repeatedly called for the country to surrender its sovereignty and become a part of the United States.
Experts agree that the main question facing Canadians when they cast their ballot on April 28 will be who — current Prime Minister Carney or Poilievre — can push back against Trump.
“The economy is the biggest issue for me in this election, including the whole free trade thing with the United States,” Ottawa voter Carol Salemi told AFP.
“We need some sort of negotiation (with the US) and we need a strong leader to do that,” she said.
Danielle Varga, 22, echoed that viewpoint, saying Canada needs “someone that’s strong against America. It feels like everyone’s on that same page, which is good.”
At the moment, former central banker and political novice Carney, who took over from Justin Trudeau as PM in mid-March, appears to fit the bill.
The 60-year-old has taken the country by storm, completely reversing the fortunes of the Liberals who under a beleaguered Trudeau were headed for an electoral wipeout.
He is now leading in the polls and, observers say, has a good chance of forming a majority government.
“This is the most important election of our lifetime,” Carney told campaign volunteers in Ottawa on Saturday. “It’s critical in redefining our relationship with the United States (and) redefining our economy on our own terms.”
Carney interrupted his campaign this week after Trump announced plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on car imports, coming on the heels of levies on steel and aluminum.
Trump said he had an “extremely productive” first call with Carney on Friday, adding that the two leaders “agree on many things.”
That was a stark change in tone from a US president whose dealings with Trudeau had been frosty, and it was immediately picked up on north of the border.
– ‘Exceptional time for Canada’ –
Conservative leader Poilievre launched his campaign with an emphasis on tax cuts, affordable housing and development of Canada’s resource riches.
The 45-year-old career politician has sought to dispel comparisons with Trump — both right-wing populists — that have dimmed his appeal in Canada.
“President Trump has said he wants the Liberals back in power. We know why, because they will keep Canada weak and keep our investment flowing out of this country, to the US,” he said at a campaign stop in Toronto on Sunday.
Other parties such as Jagmeet Singh’s leftist New Democratic Party and the separatist Bloc Quebecois led by Yves-Francois Blanchet have struggled to be heard, as voters focus on the two frontrunners in this time of crisis.
“This is truly an exceptional time for Canada,” said Ottawa University politics professor Genevieve Tellier, adding: “Canada is looking for a savior.”
In a sign of the tensions, Carney declared on Thursday after Trump’s latest tariffs announcement that the era of deep economic, security and military ties between Canada and the United States “is over.”
Tellier said Carney’s “firm tone” and explanation that “relations with the United States would never be the same again” seem to be resonating with voters.
Those remarks have “captured the current mood in Canada,” she said.
Voters are turning to Carney because “they want security and a reassuring figure in times of crisis,” added Daniel Beland of McGill University in Montreal.
In a country of 41 million people, 343 seats are at stake in this year’s snap election. The party that wins a majority will form the next government, and its leader will become prime minister.
If no party gains a clear majority, the party with the most seats will be invited to attempt to form a coalition government with the help of smaller parties.
Economy and especially Trump: Canadians’ thoughts on campaigns
By AFP
March 30, 2025

Canada's Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks at a rally in February 2025 in Ottawa - Copyright GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Andrej Ivanov
Canadians are going to the polls on April 28 to elect a new government at a time of unprecedented turmoil with the United States, as President Donald Trump threatens the country’s economy and sovereignty.
Here is how voters, most of whom expressed concern over the US leader, viewed the first week of campaigning between Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney and his main rival, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
– Avoid a recession –
Monika Wetzel, a health sector policy analyst, has voted for different parties in the past and has not yet made up her mind for this election.
“I’d be a happier person without Trump in my life at the moment,” said the 34-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba in the western Canadian Prairies region.
“Everyone is so fixated on Trump. He’s everywhere. It’s overwhelming. I just don’t want to hear anything more about him.”
At the same time, she said she wants candidates “to provide reassurance to Canadians that we’ll get through this,” as well as to keep the country united and prevent it from going into a recession.
– Economist needed, not politician –
Rob Vandertogt is an executive living just north of Toronto in Alliston, Ontario, the nation’s most populous province.
For him, the top issue in this campaign is the economy and US tariffs on Canadian products.
“The Conservatives seem completely disconnected from what’s really happening in the country. The election has been all about Donald Trump and they’re focused on everything else,” said the 62-year-old voter.
“We don’t need a politician right now to lead the country. We need someone who understands economics,” he said, and so he’s throwing his support behind Carney, who is a former central banker.
– Make ends meet –
Conservative supporter Valerie Orr, 81, is most concerned about high costs of living, and believes Trump’s dominance in the campaign is counterproductive.
“This threat from the south has diverted too much attention,” she told AFP at a Poilievre event in a Toronto suburb.
“Who ever heard of a state the size of Canada… Come on, be real,” she added, praising Poilievre for focusing on the challenges people face trying to “make it through the week.”
– ‘One-two punch’ –
Matthew Bishop, 27, usually votes for the leftist New Democratic Party, but when Carney took over from Justin Trudeau as prime minister and Liberal leader earlier this month, his plans changed.
The bar owner from Nanaimo in the westernmost province of British Columbia said he has high hopes that Carney will get the economy back on track after several years of small business closures.
“He has experience leading central banks and solving crises. I think he has a good grasp of our financial situation,” he said.
He also wants the next prime minister to “respond in kind” to US tariffs. “They put a tariff on us. We give it right back, one-two punch.”
– Too much like Trump –
Nathalie Guibert, who lives in rural Quebec, an hour and a half from Montreal, hasn’t made her choice yet.
“I think it’s good that Mark Carney went to Europe, that he’s saying the United States is no longer our ally and is seeking new trade partnerships,” said the 56-year-old housewife.
“I associate Pierre Poilievre with Trump. I don’t like his belligerent tone, his Trumpist manner.”
Canadians are going to the polls on April 28 to elect a new government at a time of unprecedented turmoil with the United States, as President Donald Trump threatens the country’s economy and sovereignty.
Here is how voters, most of whom expressed concern over the US leader, viewed the first week of campaigning between Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney and his main rival, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
– Avoid a recession –
Monika Wetzel, a health sector policy analyst, has voted for different parties in the past and has not yet made up her mind for this election.
“I’d be a happier person without Trump in my life at the moment,” said the 34-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba in the western Canadian Prairies region.
“Everyone is so fixated on Trump. He’s everywhere. It’s overwhelming. I just don’t want to hear anything more about him.”
At the same time, she said she wants candidates “to provide reassurance to Canadians that we’ll get through this,” as well as to keep the country united and prevent it from going into a recession.
– Economist needed, not politician –
Rob Vandertogt is an executive living just north of Toronto in Alliston, Ontario, the nation’s most populous province.
For him, the top issue in this campaign is the economy and US tariffs on Canadian products.
“The Conservatives seem completely disconnected from what’s really happening in the country. The election has been all about Donald Trump and they’re focused on everything else,” said the 62-year-old voter.
“We don’t need a politician right now to lead the country. We need someone who understands economics,” he said, and so he’s throwing his support behind Carney, who is a former central banker.
– Make ends meet –
Conservative supporter Valerie Orr, 81, is most concerned about high costs of living, and believes Trump’s dominance in the campaign is counterproductive.
“This threat from the south has diverted too much attention,” she told AFP at a Poilievre event in a Toronto suburb.
“Who ever heard of a state the size of Canada… Come on, be real,” she added, praising Poilievre for focusing on the challenges people face trying to “make it through the week.”
– ‘One-two punch’ –
Matthew Bishop, 27, usually votes for the leftist New Democratic Party, but when Carney took over from Justin Trudeau as prime minister and Liberal leader earlier this month, his plans changed.
The bar owner from Nanaimo in the westernmost province of British Columbia said he has high hopes that Carney will get the economy back on track after several years of small business closures.
“He has experience leading central banks and solving crises. I think he has a good grasp of our financial situation,” he said.
He also wants the next prime minister to “respond in kind” to US tariffs. “They put a tariff on us. We give it right back, one-two punch.”
– Too much like Trump –
Nathalie Guibert, who lives in rural Quebec, an hour and a half from Montreal, hasn’t made her choice yet.
“I think it’s good that Mark Carney went to Europe, that he’s saying the United States is no longer our ally and is seeking new trade partnerships,” said the 56-year-old housewife.
“I associate Pierre Poilievre with Trump. I don’t like his belligerent tone, his Trumpist manner.”
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