Canadians are voting today in a pivotal election that has been dramatically reshaped by US President Donald Trump’s actions and rhetoric. The campaign, originally expected to deliver a strong Conservative victory, was upended by Trump’s tariffs and controversial remarks suggesting Canada should become America’s “51st state.”
Final polls show the Liberals, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, holding a slight edge over the Conservatives, though the race has tightened considerably. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre remains confident his party can clinch victory, particularly by capitalizing on voter frustrations over affordability and rising crime.
The 36-day campaign ended on a somber note after a tragic attack in Vancouver, where an SUV rammed into a crowd at a Filipino festival, killing 11 people. Carney canceled a Sunday campaign stop to address the nation, while Poilievre visited members of the Filipino community in Mississauga.
Trump’s imposition of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods and his repeated annexation comments have fueled a wave of Canadian nationalism unseen in decades. Hockey arenas have even seen fans boo the US national anthem, symbolizing the fraying ties between the two nations. Trump’s outsized influence turned the election into a de facto referendum on how Canada should navigate relations with its powerful neighbor.
Carney has leaned on his experience steering Canada and the UK through economic crises, portraying himself as the steady hand needed to resist US pressures. He emphasized strengthening trade ties with the UK and EU, declaring the old US-Canada relationship “over.”
Meanwhile, Poilievre focused on domestic issues, blaming the Liberals for a “lost decade” under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. His message of economic revival resonated in Ontario, a critical battleground with 122 parliamentary seats.
Smaller parties like the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois struggled to gain ground as voters rallied around the two main parties. The NDP, led by Jagmeet Singh, was hit particularly hard, with Singh visibly emotional after narrowly avoiding the Vancouver attack.
With over 7 million Canadians already voting early, today’s results will determine whether Canada chooses continuity under Carney’s Liberals or a new direction with Poilievre’s Conservatives.
Polls close late Monday night across six time zones, with results expected early Tuesday.
