Commonwealth_ More than seven million Canadians have already cast their ballots in advance of the upcoming federal election, setting a new record for early voter turnout, according to Elections Canada. The four days of advance polling saw strong participation across the country, with long lines reported at many polling stations. They were held over the long Easter weekend from Friday to Monday. Notably, two million people voted on Friday alone, highlighting the significant enthusiasm among the electorate.
Elections Canada announced that approximately 7.3 million Canadians, about one-quarter of all eligible voters, took part in the advance polls, marking a 25% increase compared to early voting in the 2021 election. This record-setting turnout reflects a growing interest in the election, which comes at a pivotal time for the nation. Mail-in ballots have also seen an increase, with more than 754,000 special ballots returned so far, surpassing the 660,000 mailed in during the previous election.
As the nation heads into the final week before election day on 28 April, federal leaders are intensifying their campaigns, hoping to secure undecided voters. The political landscape is shaped by several pressing issues, most notably an ongoing trade dispute with the United States. President Donald Trump’s repeated remarks about potentially annexing Canada as the 51st U.S. state, along with newly imposed tariffs, have added urgency to campaign discussions.
Trump’s administration has placed sweeping 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, excluding goods covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Additionally, Canada continues to be affected by global U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum, and vehicle sectors vital to the Canadian economy. These tariffs have already led to thousands of temporary layoffs in the Canadian auto industry, making economic resilience a major campaign theme.
The comments by Trump on the annexation of Canada and tariffs increasingly led to a nationalist sentiment across Canada, as many Canadians of all backgrounds were outraged about it. This shifted much of the outrage away from national issues toward Trump.
The recently appointed PM, Mark Carney, appeared to have initially benefited from this outrage against the US after taking over from an increasingly unpopular former PM, Justin Trudeau. However, recent polls indicated a narrowing of the lead the Liberals had against the Conservatives.
The Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, has stated in response to Trump’s suggestion that Canada will never be a part of the US and has been campaigning, drawing attention to domestic issues such as housing affordability, crime, and the rising cost of living. At a rally in Vaughan, Ontario, on Tuesday, Poilievre unveiled his party’s platform, promising fiscal responsibility and a change in direction.
“It’s time for the government to start pinching pennies,” Poilievre said” “We can choose change. We can choose hope. We can choose our future.”
Other political players include the Bloc Québécois, which runs candidates only in Quebec and advocates for provincial sovereignty. The Bloc is currently polling in third place. The New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jagmeet Singh, trails behind in fourth, struggling to maintain its influence as voters appear to be consolidating support around the two major parties. As election day approaches, Canadians are grappling with both domestic and international issues. The outcome will not only determine who leads the next government but also how the country navigates a tense and uncertain geopolitical environment.
