Canadian PM Mark Carney Calls Snap Election For April 28, Seeks Strong Mandate To Counter Trump’s Trade War

He wants to break us so America can own us,

Carney said

We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty,

Carney told reporters after the Governor General - the personal representative of King Charles, Canada's head of state - approved his request for an election

We moved from an election where people wanted change to an election that's really much more about leadership,

said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs

The ability of the Conservatives to attack the Liberals has been greatly diminished, because people are focused on the here and now and the near-term future, not on what happened over the last 10 years,

he said by phone

There's a different kind of comparison that's being made right between the leaders and what are they going to be able to do,

she said

The next election will be one of the most consequential in our lifetimes,

he posted on social media overnight

I know a lot of people are worried, angry and anxious. And with good reason as a result of the president’s unacceptable threats against our country,

he said

I knew our country needed to take action,

Carney said, as quoted by BBC, highlighting his government’s initial steps since taking office

I've just requested that the governor general dissolve parliament and call an election for April 28. She has agreed,

he told reporters

There is so much more to do to secure Canada,

he added

The election will certainly have a ballot question. But it isn’t Trump, it’s uncertainty. Trump is a symbol of that he’s showing how Canada is vulnerable in many ways. People want a leader who can be the antidote to that uncertainty,

said Turnbull

That whole strategy rests on being able to define Carney. And if they could do that, then their strategy would probably work,

said Turnbull

Carney has been the gamechanger and has totally reversed the fortunes of the Liberal party,

said Lori Turnbull, the director of Dalhousie University’s school of public administration

Trump has been very blunt that he wants a weak Canada that he can target … Electing Liberals will weaken our country still.”

On Sunday, he told reporters at his campaign launch