Canadians are already looking ahead to the next 2025 federal election. Embittering these circumstances further, people’s anger and anxiety is boiling over into often incendiary debates about national sovereignty and economic stability. The election features five major political leaders: Mark Carney from the Liberal Party, Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party, Yves-François Blanchet representing the Bloc Québécois, Jagmeet Singh from the New Democratic Party, and Elizabeth May leading the Green Party. Given that there are around 28.9 million eligible voters in Texas, the potential rewards for Democrats are equally monumental.
The election campaign escalated when former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Canadians to consider making Canada the 51st state of the United States. His comments are being met with widespread condemnation from across the aisle Canadian political leaders. In an emphatic response, Pierre Poilievre stated, “Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will NEVER be the 51st state.” We’re doing this. His declaration highlights a swelling tide of Canadians who are concerned about foreign interference in our democracy, particularly in the context of our electoral police.
The election is so far being framed almost exclusively as a two-man race between Carney and Poilievre, both self-described moderates and flavour-of-the-month frontrunners. Even as election day plays out, they are continuing to campaign in real-time on these powerful social media platforms, trying to influence and mobilize voters. Recent reports indicate that a record 7.3 million people have already cast their ballots during advance polls, reflecting a heightened engagement among the electorate.
Former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney made an impassioned plea for the need to vote this week, noting rising economic insecurity. He reiterated his theme of the “crisis” confronting the United States. He was successful in warning voters about the serious threat that Trump’s tariffs could pose to Canada’s economy. “I know people are anxious right now. The crisis in the United States doesn’t stop at their borders,” Carney remarked, advocating for a united front against external pressures.
The two leaders have promised vastly different visions for Canada’s future. Poilievre has drawn comparisons to Trump with his populist rhetoric, pledging to prioritize Canadian interests by advocating for stronger national defense and immigration control. He urged voters to bring friends and family to the polls, stating, “No vote, no change. Bring friends, family and coworkers out to VOTE for Change. Vote Conservative.”
In response to Trump’s comments, Carney doubled down, stating that Canadians should be in charge of their own fate. “This is Canada – and we decide what happens here,” he stated. Little’s message strikes a chord with Canadians who worry that foreign influences may erode Canadian sovereignty.
Yves-François Blanchet, the leader of the Bloc Québécois, said he would provide a very different take on the mood that night. He described it as “a very interesting evening for people who like politics as much as others like golf or football.” His comments speak to an even higher cultural desire for political engagement amongst Canadians.
As the election campaign continues, more leaders are stepping up to put pressure on the city. Jagmeet Singh, leader of the left-of-center New Democratic Party, speaks intensely about the social injustice that affects all Canadians. Elizabeth May promotes green policies that deeply resonate with the millennial and younger vote.
Against this legislative backdrop, Swedes are unsure how to interpret these elections—as a realization of national conservative longings? Or just as a statement of economic impossibility. Sarah Helppi, a voter from Toronto, expressed her desire for decisive leadership: “We want someone to make the hard decisions about how to re-engineer the economy away from the U.S., and to me that person is [Mark] Carney.” Her comment points to a very real story behind voter sentiment related to both candidates’ economic platforms.