Canadians head to polls for snap ‘Trump Election’ that will shape future in face of ‘51st state’ threat & tariff blitz
CANADIANS are getting ready to vote in the “Trump Election” that will shape the country’s future in the face of the US President’s 51st state threats and brutal tariffs.
Millions of voters are headed to the polls today for the snap federal election, with the first lot of results to come in just after 11pm UK time tonight.
Canadians have had to focus predominantly on how candidates would respond to US President Donald Trump‘s tariffs threats, alongside his call to make Canada the 51st state, when casting their vote.
The country’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, who is currently leader of the Liberal Party, called the election in March after taking over from former leader Justin Trudeau.
Carney’s main opponent in the race is Conservative leader Pierre Poilevre.
At the start of the year, Poilevre was seen as the candidate that will end 10 years of Liberal rule with his relatable and snappy Trump-approach to public speaking.
Voters were also desperate to boot out Trudeau following a tenure marred by scandal and public outcry.
But when Trump slapped brutal aluminium and steel tariffs on the nation, the voting focus shifted for many Canadians.
Conservative strategist Dan Roberts told The Telegraph: “Donald Trump was like a nuclear bomb going off on the Canadian political landscape.
“It just levelled everything.”
Carney has managed to remain the favourite to stay in his current prime minister position as he has consistently vowed to resist Trump’s threats to make Canada the 51st state of America.
And, having been a governor of the Bank of England, in some voters eyes, Carney understands what it takes to remain diplomatic which could come in handy in future crunch talks with the US President.
Last month, when Canada’s Parliament was dissolved after the bombshell election call, Liberals had 152 seats and the Conservatives 120.
The remaining seats were held by the Bloc Quebecois with 33, the New Democrat Party with 24, and two with the Green Party.
In some polls, Carney’s lead expanded to more than 20 points as he has managed to hold on to support among older voters.
At a rally at Toronto airport on Saturday, Carney kept his message clear and concise for his followers – warning of the threat from Trump.
He said: “President Trump is trying to break us so that America can own us.
“And well, that will never happen.”
Meanwhile, rival Poilevre tends to communicate a message of change – attracting many younger Canadian voters who are facing issues at the hands of the country’s economy, like getting on the housing ladder.
His rallies, that often attract thousands, has many voting experts questioning whether polls could actually be underestimating his popularity across the country.
Poilevre told supporters in British Columbia over the weekend: “We can’t afford four more years of the Liberals.”
The final days of campaigning for leaders was overshadowed by harrowing tragedy when 11 people were killed after a car ploughed into crowds at a Filipino street festival in Vancouver on the weekend.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, is charged with eight counts of second degree murder, although cops say “further charges are anticipated”.
The force insisted that the incident was not being treated as a terrorist attack.
The Lapu Lapu Festival commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century.
Canada‘s New Democracy Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh – who was at the event before the horror incident unfolded – said he was “horrified to learn” of “innocent people” being killed and hurt.
He added: “As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families – and Vancouver’s Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience.”
The NDP had made a campaign stop at the Lapu Lapu Day block party.
Carney said on Saturday night: “I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening.”
Conservative Poilievre described being shocked by the “horrific news“.
He said: “My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack.”
When will results come in?
The first polls are to close in Newfoundland and Labrador at midnight UK time, with the last polls in British Columbia to close three hours later.
The biggest sweep of polls will close at 2:30am, including Ontario and Quebec – marking a key time to see wins and losses for the parties.
If the Liberals or Conservatives win massively in the eastern part of the country, the election could be called earlier in the night, indicating a winner.