Commonwealth_ Mark Carney, a former two-time central banker, was sworn in as Canada’s new Prime Minister earlier this month after being elected leader of the Liberal Party. Just weeks into his leadership, Carney has called a snap federal election, with Canadians heading to the polls on Monday, April 28. This surprise election comes after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down as Liberal leader in January 2025. While some political leaders had already pushed for an early vote, momentum built significantly after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Canada, triggering a trade war. In response, Carney acted swiftly to seek a new mandate from the public.
Why a snap election right now?
Under Canadian law, federal elections must be held at least every five years. The next scheduled vote was set for October 20, 2025. However, early elections can be triggered under two main conditions: if the Prime Minister requests Parliament be dissolved and the Governor General agrees, or if the government loses a confidence vote in Parliament. This time, Carney requested dissolution, prompting an early contest.
How the Election Works
Canada uses a first-past-the-post electoral system. The country is divided into 343 ridings (also called constituencies or electoral districts), each of which elects one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons, Canada’s lower chamber. Voters do not vote directly for the Prime Minister. Instead, they choose a local candidate, and the leader of the party that wins the most seats typically becomes Prime Minister. If no party wins a majority of seats, it results in a minority government, meaning the ruling party must collaborate with others to pass laws.
Who’s Running?
Four main parties are contesting this election:
Liberal Party (led by Mark Carney): In power since 2015, the Liberals held 153 seats before dissolution.
Conservative Party (led by Pierre Poilievre): The official opposition with 120 seats.
New Democratic Party (NDP) (led by Jagmeet Singh): Held 24 seats.
Bloc Québécois (led by Yves-François Blanchet): Only runs in Quebec and had 33 seats.
The Green Party held two seats, and while smaller, it may still play a role in a close race.
What’s at Stake?
Early in 2025, the Liberals were struggling in the polls, largely due to Trudeau’s declining popularity. When he resigned, support for the party had dipped below 22%, while the Conservatives surged ahead, peaking at nearly 45%.
The major issue shaping the election is how Canada should respond to President Trump’s economic threats, which have now overtaken inflation and the cost of living as voters’ top concern. Most Canadian political parties, regardless of their backgrounds, have also rejected the suggestion of Canada joining the USA. Pierre Poilievre has been firm in this rejection,”Canada will never be the 51st state of the U.S” he said in an interview with CTV.
What Happens Next?
With just weeks until the election, parties are racing to solidify support and gain voter trust. The outcome could determine not just Canada’s future direction, but also how the country navigates a tense economic relationship with its largest trading partner, the United States. For voters, the decision on April 28 is about leadership, economic resilience, and who can best represent Canada on the global stage.
