Multiple reports say Prime Minister Mark Carney could call a snap federal election as early as Sunday, with a possible election date of April 28 or May 5.
A report from CTV says a final decision on Election Day will be made shortly. Carney was sworn in as prime minister on March 14 after winning the Liberal leadership race in convincing fashion.
The House of Commons was set to resume on Monday. It has been prorogued after Justin Trudeau’s resignation as PM and Liberal Leader. Calling an election avoids a non-confidence vote by the opposition and removes the need for a speech from the throne.
The Liberals have seen a surge in polls since Trudeau’s resignation and Donald Trump’s inauguration. A recent Nanos Research survey, taken before Carney’s election as Liberal Leader, shows the Conservatives leading by one point at 35%, with the Liberals close behind at 34%. At one point the Conservatives held a better than 20 point lead in the polls.
Trump and U.S. relations are expected to be key election issues, along with housing, inflation, and cost of living.
Written by: B. Perreault