Canadian Premier Mark Carney announces impromptu election.

Trump casts shadow over UK election as campaign kicks off This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Watch: UK snap election - what's the plan? Nadine Yousif & Jessica Murphy BBC News, Toronto Published23 March 2025 Updated 24 March 2025 Canada's newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a snap election, sending the nation to the polls on 28 April. The election comes amidst a trade dispute with the US and demands from President Donald Trump for Canada to join the American states, issues that are anticipated to be key concerns for voters. Just nine days after Carney, a Liberal, took office as Canada's prime minister following Justin Trudeau's resignation, he has called for this sudden election. Carney is set to face Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, whose party had been leading in national polls since mid-2023, although recent polls indicate a tight race. The two main candidates held their inaugural rallies on Sunday. In St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Carney spoke about the threat of US tariffs, using a favorite sports analogy: "In this trade war, just like in hockey, we will emerge victorious." Addressing the crowds in Ottawa earlier on the same day, Carney emphasized the need for a strong mandate to tackle Trump. "We are in the midst of the most significant crisis of our times due to President Trump's unjustified trade actions and threats to our sovereignty," he stated. In a rally of his own in Toronto on Sunday evening, Poilievre criticized Carney's party for failing to bring about change, accusing them of consistently "making the same promises that they've been breaking for over 10 years." Are you a Canadian voter? We want to hear from you GUIDE: Understanding Canada's election process ANALYSIS: Key themes to watch out for in the election WHO'S WHO: A closer look at the competing candidates VIDEO: What happens next? The Liberals, once seen as unlikely to win this election, now have a chance to secure a government for the fourth consecutive time under Carney's leadership. Carney, aged 60, a former governor of the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, has no previous experience as an MP and is untested in the political arena. During his short time in office, Carney has engaged with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, and also announced a partnership with Australia to develop a new northern radar system in Canada's Arctic. Additionally, he terminated Trudeau's carbon tax climate policy, which had faced criticism from the Conservatives. As the election approaches, the electorate is concerned about Canada's evolving relationship with the historically close ally, the US, as well as the country's high cost of living. Poilievre, aged 45, linked Carney to the unpopular rule of Trudeau, labeling it a "lost Liberal decade." He accused the party of weakening the country by hindering resource development, neglecting military funding, and mismanaging immigration and the economy, stating that their "post-national globalist ideology" made Canada more susceptible to Trump's trade war. President Trump's current and looming tariffs on Canadian goods could precipitate economic instability in the nation and push Canada towards a recession. Trump initially imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods on 2 March before partially halting them for a month. Subsequently, on 12 March, a blanket 25% duty on all aluminium and steel imports was enforced, impacting Canadian importers. The Trump administration plans to impose further global tariffs on 2 April, during the second week of the campaign. Canada has retaliated by imposing tariffs on around C$60bn ($42bn; £32bn) worth of US goods. Carney labeled the trade war with the US as one of the "most significant threats of our lifetimes," vowing not to allow America to dominate Canada. Carney has pledged more retaliatory measures, although acknowledging the limitations of Canada's tariff response due to the discrepancies in the two economies' sizes. Poilievre stressed the need for Canada to assert its sovereignty firmly in the face of White House threats. The campaign, scheduled to last just five weeks - the shortest permissible duration, will focus not only on the US-Canada relationship but also on economic matters, including issues related to the cost of living. In the Canadian federal election, voters do not directly elect a prime minister. Instead, the leader of the party with the most members of parliament usually assumes the role of PM. Four main parties will be contesting the election - the Liberals, Conservatives, New Democrats (NDP), and the Bloc Québécois, who exclusively field candidates in Quebec with a focus on regional concerns. The Green Party and the People's Party of Canada are also in the electoral race. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh criticized both Carney and Poilievre, accusing them of favoring the wealthy over ordinary Canadians. "You deserve a prime minister who will act in your best interest," he remarked. The Bloc faces pressure from a surge in Liberal support in Quebec. Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet positioned his party as a champion for industries targeted by Trump, such as aluminium, dairy, and lumber, which are vital sectors in the province. For the first time, the Greens are led by co-leaders: Jonathan Pedneault and Elizabeth May. Pedneault emphasized the critical nature of the upcoming election, stating, "We must vote now as though our country depends on it, because more than ever before, it does." At the time of the election call, the Liberals held 153 seats in the House of Commons, with the Conservatives as the official opposition with 120 seats. The Bloc had 33 seats, the NDP had 24, and the Green Party held two. As Canada gears up for this crucial election, the BBC invites feedback from voters across the country. If you wish to be part of our coverage, kindly let us know. Canada election 2025, Mark Carney, Canada Written in tags at the end: canada, election, mark carney, politics, trade