Canadian voters head to the polls on Monday in a parliamentary election that could bring a dramatic shift in power in the country. Surveys in January indicated that the Conservatives were heading for a certain victory. Later, the Liberal Party began to gain a lead. However, the competition has diminished in recent days. More than 73 lakh votes were cast in the initial voting, which is a record.
US President Donald Trump may also be an issue in this election. The US President’s trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st state have angered Canadians. This has led to a surge in nationalism, which has helped the Liberal Party change the narrative in the parliamentary election.
“Trump is the campaign. The key question is who are we going to choose to face Trump. Everything has changed,” said Jean Charest, former premier of Quebec province. Elections Canada, the independent agency responsible for conducting federal elections, offers several opportunities for eligible voters to participate.
Canada’s election is set to be a close contest between Liberal Party Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. The election, called amid rising tensions with the United States, has already seen a surge in voter turnout.