Canada Election: Trump's Tariffs and Influence Dominate

Canada's four major federal party leaders clashed in a TV debate ahead of the general election, with US President Donald Trump a significant off-stage presence. Liberal leader Mark Carney, who has been leading in the polls, was repeatedly placed on the spot by his opponents, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Québécois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet. Key takeaways from the debate include Carney being forced to defend himself against comparisons to his unpopular predecessor, Justin Trudeau; a softer approach to Trump's tariffs, with Carney saying the focus would shift to targeted tariffs; substantive policy discussions on issues including housing, crime, and immigration; smaller parties fighting for airtime and survival as polls suggest Canadians are opting to support either the Conservatives or Liberals; and a generally cordial tone, with leaders displaying civility even during heated exchanges.

Canadian small businesses are reacting to US President Donald Trump's tariffs with a mix of resistance and Canadian national pride. Some businesses, such as Balzac's Coffee Roasters, are promoting Canadian patriotism by rebranding products and menus. Others, like Your Independent Grocers, are highlighting Canadian-made products and indicating tariff-impacted items in stores. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported that over half of its members believe the US is not a reliable trading partner, and some are re-evaluating contracts with US partners. The tariffs have caused emotional distress and may lead to a long-term erosion of trust between Canadian and US businesses, potentially damaging the US's "soft power" influence globally.

Canadian voters are heading to the polls on April 28 in a five-week election campaign that has been marked by the looming presence of US President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Mark Carney, a political newcomer who took office earlier this year, has centered his campaign on defending Canada against Trump's threats, frequently invoking the US leader's name and warnings of potential annexation. Carney's main rival, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, has focused on running against the record of Carney's predecessor, Justin Trudeau, and the Liberal Party, arguing that Carney is more of the same. Despite a contentious debate, polls suggest that Carney remains in the lead, although his support is soft among voters looking for change after nearly a decade of Liberal government. Poilievre has an opportunity to recapture his populist platform, which was partially neutralized when Carney axed the carbon tax, a key Conservative target.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and conservative challenger Pierre Poilievre clashed in a debate, with Carney saying the election is about who can stand up to US President Donald Trump, referencing Trump's tariffs and threats to annex Canada. Carney implied that he is better equipped to negotiate with Trump, given his background as head of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, and that Poilievre's "Canada First" message is too similar to Trump's "America First" agenda. The debate comes as Canada prepares for a nationwide election, with Carney currently favored to win despite narrowing polling margins.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that Canadians are facing their "biggest crisis" due to US President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs, and has pledged to create a "one economy" by reducing internal trade barriers within Canada. Carney, who took office over a month ago, plans to implement free trade within Canada's provinces and territories by July if re-elected on April 28, and will begin trade talks with the US immediately. He criticized Trump's actions as an attempt to "break" Canada and allow the US to "own" it, and vowed to fight back with counter-tariffs and protect Canadian workers.

A recent report found that over a quarter of Canadians have been exposed to fake political content on social media, which is becoming "more sophisticated and more politically polarizing" as the country prepares to vote in a federal election. The content includes fake news articles, deepfake videos, and ads impersonating legitimate news sources to promote fraudulent investment schemes, often involving cryptocurrency. Researchers warn that social media platforms must increase protections against disinformation, as the spread of such content can undermine the credibility of party leaders and news brands. Despite Meta's ban on news articles from reputable outlets on its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, more than half of Canadians still get political news from Facebook, often through comments from friends or family, or posts from candidates.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney faced attacks from Conservative rival Pierre Poilievre at an election debate, but focused on the threat posed by US President Donald Trump, saying "We're going to stand up to Trump." Carney's Liberals are leading in most polls ahead of the April 28 vote, but the race remains tight. Poilievre criticized Carney for being an extension of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and accused the Liberals of weakening the economy, while Carney emphasized his private sector experience would help him in government and highlighted Trump's trade war and annexation threats as a major concern.