 "Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister Mark Carney, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, take part in a group photo prior to the English-language federal election leaders' debate, in Montreal, April 17, 2025. File Image/Reuters")
As Canadians prepare to cast their ballots on April 28, all eyes are on the battle between two leading figures vying to become the next prime minister: Liberal leader Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
This election marks a significant turning point, coming shortly after the resignation of Justin Trudeau , who stepped down earlier this year following nearly ten years in office.
Mark Carney, the newly installed Liberal leader and current prime minister, assumed the top job after securing over 85 per cent support within his party.
Though a household name in financial circles — having led both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England — Carney is a political newcomer with no prior experience as an elected official.
He was sworn in as prime minister in March and called a snap election just nine days into office, citing rising tensions with the United States and the need to secure a governing mandate.
Carney’s main rival, Pierre Poilievre, has been a fixture in Canadian politics for nearly two decades. Known for his aggressive parliamentary style and populist messaging, Poilievre has positioned himself as a champion for Canadians frustrated by the high cost of living and housing shortages .
Despite leading in polls throughout 2023, recent events — including Trump’s re-election and Carney’s rise — have narrowed the race significantly.
Liberal Carney
Carney, 60, brings considerable financial expertise to the role , having overseen global economic turbulence during the 2008 financial crisis and Brexit. Born in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, and raised in Alberta, Carney later studied at Harvard and Oxford.
As prime minister, he has promised to use government intervention to drive housing development and counter economic threats from the US.
Despite this, Carney has faced questions about his lack of political experience and his decision to call an election without holding a seat in the House of Commons.
His critics, especially within the Conservative camp, have also accused him of hypocrisy over financial practices during his tenure at the investment firm Brookfield and of adopting several Conservative policies, including scrapping the contentious carbon tax.
Still, Carney has remained firm in his opposition to Donald Trump’s trade aggression, declaring Canada will “never become the 51st US state” and promising retaliation against tariffs.
Conservative Poilievre
At 45, Poilievre is a veteran MP who rose quickly through Conservative ranks. He has long advocated for smaller government and reduced regulation.
His campaign is built around “common sense” solutions, promising to lower taxes, build more homes by cutting red tape, and clamp down on crime — even proposing to override parts of Canada’s charter of rights to enforce tougher sentencing.
Poilievre’s style has drawn both praise and criticism. His supporters admire his combative tone and believe he speaks for the “forgotten” Canadians, while detractors liken his rhetoric to Donald Trump’s.
Poilievre has sought to distance himself from the US president , telling voters, “I have a completely different story from Donald Trump.” Trump, meanwhile, has dismissed Poilievre as “not MAGA enough.”
As the race tightens, the Conservatives find themselves slipping in the polls after months of strong leads. All major polling firms now project the Liberals ahead, with many suggesting a majority government is within reach for Carney.
Third parties: Influence without a clear path to power
While the election narrative has largely centred around Carney and Poilievre, other political leaders are still in the mix — though their chances of forming government are slim.
Jagmeet Singh
Jagmeet Singh, leader of the left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) , made history as Canada’s first Sikh party leader.
Once a kingmaker in the Liberal minority government through a supply and confidence agreement, Singh severed ties last year over a labor dispute.
Despite pushing progressive policies like universal pharmacare and dental care, the NDP’s support has dwindled to around 8.5 per cent nationally. Singh has said the Liberals “let people down” and “don’t deserve another chance from Canadians.”
Yves-François Blanchet
Yves-François Blanchet, who heads the Quebec-only Bloc Québécois , has remained a vocal opponent of Trump’s policies.
Known for his blunt speech, Blanchet said: “It’s enough jibber-jabber” when asked about Trump’s annexation rhetoric.
The Bloc is not expected to form government but could impact the final seat tally, particularly in Quebec, where they are polling behind the Liberals.
Other parties contesting include the Green Party of Canada led by Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, and the People’s Party of Canada led by Maxime Bernier.
What’s at stake and how it works
Canada’s federal elections function through 343 individual riding contests held simultaneously. The party that wins at least 172 seats forms a majority government, while fewer seats require cooperation with smaller parties to govern.
In 2021, the Liberals failed to secure a majority and relied on the NDP for parliamentary support.
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This time, they’re pushing for a clear mandate to avoid being ousted through a no-confidence vote. With advance voting now open and the main vote on April 28, the stakes are higher than ever.
As tensions rise across the border and the cost of living continues to challenge households , Canadians are weighing their options carefully.
With inputs from agencies