Ottawa: Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that the federal election will take place on April 28, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history due to escalating tensions with the United States. With the looming threats of US annexation and the imposition of tariffs, this election could be one of Canada's most consequential.

According to Anadolu Agency, US President Donald Trump has made repeated statements suggesting that Canada should become the 51st US state, accompanied by the imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods. In response, Canada has implemented counter-tariffs, further intensifying the standoff. The upcoming election sees Carney, leading the Liberals, facing off against Pierre Poilievre of the Conservatives and Jagmeet Singh of the New Democrat Party (NDP). Each leader has expressed their commitment to standing firm against President Trump's actions.

At a press conference where he announced the election date, Prime Minister Carney criticized Trump directly, stating, "He wants to break us so America can own us." This election was triggered by the resignation of the unpopular former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in January, leading to Carney's ascension as the leader of the Liberal Party.

Polls indicate that Canadians had grown disillusioned with Trudeau, prompting his resignation under pressure from both the public and his party. Following Trudeau's departure, the Liberal Party experienced a surge in public support, overtaking the Conservatives in polling. Meanwhile, the New Democrat Party remains in a distant third place.

Mark Carney, a former governor of the Bank of Canada, is a political newcomer, having never held or run for political office before. In contrast, Pierre Poilievre is portrayed by opponents as a career politician, having been elected as a member of parliament at the age of 25 and now aged 45. Critics argue that he lacks experience in the private sector but is known for his vigorous criticism of the Liberals. Poilievre emphasized his focus on the threat posed by Trump, while also referring to the past decade under Trudeau as the "lost Liberal decade."

Jagmeet Singh, who has led the NDP since 2017, has yet to secure a victory for his party. While the primary focus of the election remains on the relationship with the US, other critical issues such as affordable housing, the cost of living, and healthcare are also in play. The election campaign will span five weeks, the minimum duration mandated by Canadian law.