Canada heads to the polls today, April 28, in a pivotal national election where domestic issues collide with international tensions, and where the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump looms unusually large over the campaign narrative. The contest between the Liberal Party, led by former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, and the Conservative Party, led by longtime MP Pierre Poilievre, is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent Canadian history.
The campaign season has been heavily influenced by the specter of Trump’s policies and political style, despite the election being entirely domestic. Carney has framed himself as the candidate best positioned to stand up to Trump, should relations between Washington and Ottawa grow strained. He emphasizes that strong, seasoned leadership will be necessary to protect Canadian interests if Trump wins reelection in the United States later this year. Carney’s platform ties directly into this theme, promising a firm stance against any U.S. pressures that could harm Canada’s economy or sovereignty, while also addressing cost-of-living challenges, bolstering healthcare, and pursuing aggressive environmental policies.
On the other side, Poilievre seeks to shift voters’ focus back to domestic performance, criticizing the Liberal Party’s economic record, arguing that inflation, housing unaffordability, and increased taxation have worsened under their governance. His Conservative platform champions significant tax cuts, rolling back a number of environmental policies he claims stifle economic growth, and boosting Canada’s natural resource sector, particularly oil and gas production. Poilievre positions himself as the agent of change, pledging to remove what he describes as bureaucratic barriers and overregulation that hamper Canadian businesses and families.
The unusual dynamic of an American president’s influence on a Canadian election highlights just how intertwined the two countries’ futures have become. Trump’s prior presidency deeply affected U.S.-Canada relations, from trade negotiations under the USMCA agreement to tariffs and disputes over NATO funding. Carney and Liberal strategists have drawn parallels between the turbulence of the Trump era and the need for steady Canadian leadership capable of navigating another potential Trump administration. Meanwhile, Poilievre accuses Carney of using Trump as a political distraction to avoid accountability for Liberal governance failures at home.
Polling in the final days before the election shows a highly competitive race, with neither party holding a commanding lead nationally. Regional divides are stark, with the Liberals performing better in urban centers like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, and the Conservatives gaining strength in rural regions and the western provinces, particularly Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Back history shows that foreign policy rarely dominates Canadian elections, which tend to revolve around bread-and-butter issues like healthcare, taxes, and jobs. However, today’s volatile global environment, marked by increasing protectionism and nationalism — trends Trump champions — has thrust international relations into the forefront. Analysts note that this election could reshape Canada’s approach to not just the U.S., but to trade, climate action, defense, and immigration for years to come.
Turnout today will be crucial. Both Carney and Poilievre have urged supporters to get to the polls, recognizing that the margin of victory could come down to key battleground ridings across Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec. Regardless of the outcome, the next prime minister of Canada will take office amid an uncertain global landscape — and with the shadow of Trump’s political influence clearly in view.
