As Canadian federal issues continue to focus on tariffs and relations with the United States, Ontario residents are learning that they may be voting for a second time in short order — having a federal election soon after the upcoming provincial one.
All Premiers travelled to Washington together for the first time in history on a mission to push back on President Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Provincial leaders had a meeting with top White House advisers, who promised to bring their message to Trump.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said it was “chilling” to hear a top White House adviser say Trump is serious about annexing Canada. Furey said he left the U.S. very aware that the president was launching an attack not just on Canada’s economy but on its sovereignty. It’s with this issue front and centre that a federal election becomes increasingly likely.
Former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, the frontrunner in the federal Liberal leadership race, says that if he wins and becomes Prime Minister, he may call a snap election immediately after the party selects its new leader on March 9th, rather than waiting to return to Parliament. While Carney claims the decision will depend on circumstances in mid-March, many see this as a strategic move to capitalize on recent polling that suggests a slight Liberal rebound.