Carney Leads Canada Election Polls Amid Nationalism Surge

Mark Carney, who became Canada's prime minister in March following Justin Trudeau's resignation, has seen a dramatic surge in popularity ahead of the April 28 election, largely due to US President Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies and rhetoric targeting Canada. Trump's threats of tariffs and even talk of annexation have sparked a wave of Canadian nationalism, reversing what was expected to be a Liberal defeat and moving Carney's party ahead in recent polls. Carney, a former central banker with no prior political experience, is positioning himself as a steady leader capable of managing crises, calling for a strong mandate to counter US economic threats and reduce Canada's reliance on its southern neighbor. His main opponent, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, has adopted populist tactics with slogans like 'Canada First,' making the election a referendum on populism versus experience. The Liberal platform includes significant new spending and trade measures, with Carney emphasizing unity and national economic security in response to external pressures. Analysts suggest that without Trump's antagonism, the Conservatives would likely be in a much stronger position.