Canadians are heading to the polls today to elect a new government for their 343-seat House of Commons. The primary battle is shaping up between Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party and the opposition Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre. According to the latest opinion polls, Carney is maintaining a slim lead.

This election comes at a volatile time, with US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies — including tariff threats and provocative remarks suggesting Canada could become the "51st state" — looming large over the campaign. Reflecting the country's growing population, five additional seats have been added since the 2021 election. A majority government requires securing at least 172 seats.

Appealing to voters, Carney emphasized the need for a strong mandate to push back against Trump's pressure and to reinvent Canada's economy. "We are asking Canadians for a bold and positive mandate to deliver real change — the kind of change that makes our economy work for everyone," Carney said while announcing the snap election.

Carney, who previously served as Canada's central bank governor, assumed leadership after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down amid a series of crises — economic turmoil, immigration challenges, strained ties with the US and India, and rising tariffs. Although the Liberal government technically had until October to call an election, Carney chose to go early, betting that the current tensions with the US could galvanize support.

During Trudeau's tenure, the Liberal Party appeared to be losing ground, with polling data predicting heavy losses. Before Parliament was dissolved in March, the Liberals held 152 seats and the Conservatives 120. Trudeau’s government had relied on backing from Jagmeet Singh's New Democratic Party, which controlled 24 seats.

Today, 28.2 million registered voters are eligible to cast their ballots, with around 730,000 already participating in early voting. While Canada’s elections are typically scheduled by late October, Carney’s strategic decision to call an early vote underscores the high political stakes — especially with Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and the US-Canada trade conflict dominating the national conversation.