Canada’s Monday poll is widely viewed as the most important election of a generation.
Canada, one of the world’s most prosperous nation and closest allies and trading partners in America, has unexpectedly discovered itself in recent months with President Trump’s cross, which targeted the threat of tariffs and annexation.
However, the country has also seen many of its coveted national achievements in breaking away on economic and social issues, including increased cost of living, high unemployment, rising housing costs, and a surge in homelessness and substance abuse. Many of these issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic, not just in Canada but in other developed economies.
Many Canadians blame the nation’s troubles for 10 years of Liberal Party rule under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilierble has spent the last three years at the helm of his party trying to hammer the point that he is the change necessary to bring Canada back to its rightful place as a powerful and prosperous country that can hold itself against anyone.
But liberal supporters believe the country will get worse without party stewardship, and while acknowledging the mistakes under Trudeau, they argue that new leader Mark Carney is a uniquely competent captain to turn the ship right and right, which turns out to be a major storm.
Various visions
The two candidates in the election seem to agree on what Canada’s main issue is. The affordable price crisis, Trump’s actions and majestic words, the economy, the crime.
But they offer two competing visions on how to tackle these issues, putting individual characters at the heart of the pitch for Canadians.
Kearney, 60, has successfully made a successful global career in the public and private sectors as a central banker in Canada and England, and as an executive of major companies. He presented himself as a crisis expert. He brought Canada a lifelong experience of tackling economic turmoil, negotiating transactions and reading the global environment in times of rapid upheaval.
His critics frame him as an outward member of the global elite, simply providing the continuation of Trudeau’s failed policies.
Polyeve, 45, a professional politician, supports many staple food conservative policies, including cutting the province’s role, limiting taxes, supporting Canada’s oil and gas industry, and tightening crime.
But he also promotes ideas that are in line with Trump’s brand of conservatism. It denounces the “radical awakening ideology,” promotes sudden reductions in Canada’s foreign aid, and refunds national broadcasters. His ideology and his often abrasive tone drove centristic Canadians flirting in polls by voting to choose Mr. Carney instead.
Affordable prices
Polls show that the biggest concern for voters in this election is the issue of affordability. Canadians are growing their homes less and less, a study by the Bank of Canada shows. Rent and home prices have risen in urban areas where the majority of Canadians live, pushing people out of the suburbs and even more, causing first-time buyers to postpone plans.
How to reverse this trend is a major challenge for the next government in Canada. Both candidates for the Prime Minister are proposing new ways to build more homes to reduce prices. Poilliebre is focusing on deregulating permits for new buildings, and Carney has spoken about how to fund the new construction.
Customs and Trump
As he continues to restructure world trade, Trump’s decision to attack some of Canada’s major exports with tariffs has shaken Canadians.
The country was also unsettled and angry at his repeated claims that he wanted Canada to be the 51st province.
The belligerent attitude from a country considered Canada’s closest friend unleashed the Larry Round the Flag, translated into a desire to stand up to the United States and rebellious patriotism.
The candidates for Monday’s election are aware of the effectiveness of this moment for Canadians and the major impact of tariffs on the Canadian economy. Approximately 80% of Canada’s exports are sent to the US.
Carney and Poilierble suggest taking an essentially similar approach to the United States.
Kearney, who has been prime minister since early March, insisted on targeted retaliation measures, emphasizing that both countries could take Canada with them before negotiating a broader agreement on economic relations. Poiriebre is largely in agreement.
Both men are also committed to strengthening Canadian troops to reduce their dependence on the US for the security of the country.
But while Carney has made Trump’s threat at the heart of his campaign, Polyerebre, who perceives ideological and stylistic similarities to American leaders as being vulnerable, hasn’t made much of a voice when taking on Trump directly.
society
Many social policies have also become part of the campaign, such as how to combat crime, tightening Canadian immigration systems and tackling the addiction and mental health crisis that is taking place on the streets of many Canadian cities.
Poilliebre jumped on the issue of crime and repeatedly proposed far more severe sentences for criminals. And he said that even if treatment is unwilling, the authorities hope to intervene to treat people’s addiction and mental health issues.
Carney acknowledges the need for a tougher stance, but has stopped defending tougher state interventions.
But both men agree that Canada’s immigration system has given access to too many foreign workers in recent years, and should be more restrictive.
Pipeline dream
How to harness Canada’s vast natural resources is another issue with the election agenda. Under Trudeau, the liberals took a more stringent stance on new exploration of energy and mineral deposits and oil and gas extraction. This saw many of the energy industry over-focused on the fight against climate change and anti-energy.
Despite his background as one of the world’s most prominent green investment evangelicals, Carney is committed to gaining a relatively mild tone on the topic, unlocking some of Canada’s energy and mineral possibilities.
Poilievre has pledged to remove all obstacles to building more pipelines and is actively working as a pro oil and gas.
