Canada elections: Donald Trump tells Ottawa to vote for ’51st state’ as polling underway, Poilievre hits again

As Canadians forged their ballots in a pivotal federal election right this moment, U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited controversy by suggesting that Canada ought to grow to be the 51st state of america. Polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m. native time (7:30 p.m. IST) and can shut at 9:30 p.m. (10:00 a.m. IST Tuesday), with early voting already surpassing 7 million ballots.​

Trump’s remarks, posted on Fact Social, declare that annexing Canada would profit Canadians by means of tax cuts, enhanced army safety, and financial progress. He additionally criticized the U.S. subsidies to Canada, stating, “America can now not subsidize Canada with the Lots of of Billions of {Dollars} a 12 months that we’ve been spending previously.” This rhetoric has drawn sharp criticism from Canadian leaders.​

Conservative chief Pierre Poilievre responded by asserting, “Canada won’t ever be the 51st state,” emphasising the nation’s sovereignty. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who assumed workplace in March, condemned Trump’s feedback as a “harmful distraction designed to erode nationwide sovereignty.” Carney, a former central banker, has positioned himself because the skilled chief to navigate world financial challenges, significantly in mild of Trump’s current tariff threats and sovereignty rhetoric.​

Key contenders and marketing campaign dynamics

The competition has formed into a decent race between Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney, who assumed workplace after Justin Trudeau’s resignation in March, and Pierre Poilievre, the populist chief of the Conservative Get together.​

Carney, a former central banker, has campaigned on a platform of financial stability, presenting himself because the skilled hand to handle world monetary pressures—significantly in response to renewed tariff threats and sovereignty rhetoric from former U.S. President Donald Trump.​

Poilievre, however, has targeted on home points equivalent to affordability, crime, and housing, drawing assist from youthful voters and people disillusioned after practically a decade of Liberal rule.​

Polling Insights

In response to the newest three-day monitoring ballot ending April 26, the Liberal Get together leads with 43% assist, with the Conservatives shut behind at 38.9%. The New Democratic Get together (NDP) holds a distant third at 10%. Notably, the Liberals have seen a 6-point surge in Ontario, a key battleground province with 122 of the 343 parliamentary seats.​

Election evening expectations

Elections Canada has acknowledged it expects to depend the overwhelming majority of ballots by tonight. Votes will probably be manually tallied at every polling station and forwarded to district places of work, which can add outcomes to the official Elections Canada web site and media retailers. The primary official outcomes are anticipated by 10:00 a.m. IST on April 29.​

A nation at a crossroads

Past electing a brand new authorities, this election stands as a referendum on Canada’s place on the planet—significantly its relationship with america. From financial technique to nationwide identification, voters are dealing with a defining second in shaping the nation’s future trajectory.​

Trump’s intervention has added a brand new layer of complexity to the election, with many Canadians viewing his feedback as an affront to their nationwide identification and sovereignty. As polls stay open, voters will not be solely deciding on home insurance policies but in addition on how one can navigate their nation’s relationship with america.

The remarks triggered sharp responses from each Canadian leaders. Carney referred to as it “a harmful distraction designed to erode nationwide sovereignty,” whereas Poilievre dismissed the thought however criticized the Liberals for weakening Canada’s world standing to the purpose the place “such nonsense is even being entertained.”​

As polls stay open, Canadians are voting not just for their representatives however maybe for the soul and sovereignty of their nation.

(Inputs from businesses)