As the federal election campaign commences on Sunday, Mark Carney aims to secure a position as a Liberal Member of Parliament representing the Nepean riding in the House of Commons.
The Liberal Party announced this development via social media late on Saturday.
Carney is anticipated to visit Rideau Hall on Sunday to request Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament and initiate a federal election in the spring.
Courtesy CTV News
According to a Liberal source familiar with the plans, voters are scheduled to cast their votes on April 28.
The Nepean riding has been represented by Liberal MP Chandra Arya for the past ten years; however, the party has recently withdrawn his nomination.
Carney will be contesting in a riding neighboring that of his primary opponent, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, who is campaigning for re-election in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton.
On Saturday, Canada’s major federal parties transitioned into campaign mode, preparing for the official start of the race.
Poilievre hosted a campaign-style gathering at a coffee shop in Ottawa’s eastern region on Saturday morning, where he served baked goods and discussed “eliminating excessive tax increases” while engaging with a local business owner.
During a meeting with a father and his 35-year-old son, who resides in the family home’s basement, Poilievre highlighted his party’s commitment to reducing the GST on new home purchases.
“Build, build, build, build, so you have a place to live,” he stated.
Later that morning, Poilievre visited a fitness center in central Ottawa, where he received a flag signed by Canadian athletes from this year’s Invictus Games.
Outside his party’s campaign tour bus in Ottawa, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh expressed concerns that a Carney-led government might eliminate the recently expanded dental care program introduced by the Liberals.
“I’m indicating that nothing is secure when (Carney) has suggested cuts to the operating budget,” Singh remarked.
It encompasses various services, including healthcare and pensions, as well as dental care. He has indicated a desire to reduce the operating budget, but has not specified which services will be cut.
Carney did not participate in any public events on Saturday.
According to the Elections Act, April 28 is the earliest date that Canadians could be called to vote.
The announcement of the election means that the House of Commons will not reconvene on Monday as previously planned.
This election occurs amid ongoing threats to Canada’s sovereignty from U.S. President Donald Trump, who is engaged in a trade conflict by imposing high tariffs on Canadian products.
In response, Canada has implemented retaliatory tariffs, making it likely that a significant issue on the ballot will be which political party and leader is best prepared to tackle Trump’s aggressive trade policies.
The political landscape in Canada has been significantly altered by Justin Trudeau’s resignation as Liberal leader and prime minister, his replacement by Carney, and Trump’s potential return to the White House. This shift has diminished the considerable polling advantage the Conservatives held as recently as January, prompting Carney, Singh, and Poilievre to modify their campaign strategies.
With the election approaching, the government has made numerous announcements in recent days.
Following a meeting with provincial leaders in Ottawa on Friday, Carney announced an agreement to create a national trade corridor aimed at improving the transportation of energy and essential minerals.
On Saturday, the Liberals revealed that starting in May, all eligible Canadians will have the opportunity to apply for the party’s flagship dental care initiative. Initially launched for seniors in December 2023, the program has been gradually expanded to include children and individuals with disabilities.
The federal Conservatives have not clarified whether they will continue funding this program, which resulted from a supply-and-confidence agreement between the Liberals and the NDP.
Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu has announced that funding for Jordan’s Principle will continue through 2026. This initiative is designed to guarantee that First Nations children receive equal access to government-funded services.
Recently, the Conservative Party has introduced a series of their own policy proposals.
Leader Pierre Poilievre has committed to enhancing training and employment opportunities for skilled trades workers. His plan includes offering apprenticeship grants of up to $4,000 from the federal government and collaborating with provinces to standardize health and safety regulations, enabling tradespeople to work across Canada.
Additionally, Poilievre has made recent commitments regarding the introduction of pre-approved construction permits for significant resource or energy projects, as well as improving access to the economically promising Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario.