New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called a snap election for April 28, saying he needed a strong mandate to deal with the threat posed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who “wants to break us so America can own us.”
By law, an election had to be held by Oct. 20, but a prime minister may request Parliament’s dissolution at any time. Carney requested that the governor-general dissolve Parliament, which was to begin Monday, and set elections date for April 28.
Under Canada’s parliamentary system, the party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons will typically be asked to form a government.
If a party gets the most seats but not enough for an outright majority, it seeks to form an agreement with another party – or parties – to be able to pass legislation.
The leader of the single largest party also becomes prime minister.
Four major federal political parties are contesting.
Carney, leader of Liberal Party, will face NDP’s Jagmeet Singh, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Bloc Quebecois led by Yves-Francois Blanchet. The Conservative party had been leading in national polls since mid-2023, though recent polls suggest the race is now neck-and-neck. Canada has 343 federal electoral districts, which are known as ridings.
Apart from the four big parties, there is also the Green Party of Canada, which had two seats in Parliament at dissolution but is not expected to make any major gains in the upcoming vote.
According to reports, Carney’s reason to call early election, is to capitalize on momentum that has his Liberals resurgent. The campaign is likely to come down to one question: Who can best handle President Donald Trump and make Canada more resilient in the face of his threats?
While calling President Trump’s Tariffs unjustified and promising to stand strong against Trump, all three major party leaders kicked off their election campaign with announcements of tax cuts for the middle class.
THE LIBERAL TAX CUT TO SAVE TWO-INCOME FAMILIES UP TO $825 A YEAR
Carney launched the 2025 Liberal campaign by announcing a middle-class tax cut that will help Canadians keep more of what they earn and build a stronger Canada in the face of President Trump’s tariffs.
“In a crisis, Canadians come together to tackle challenges – because united, we are Canada strong,” said Mark Carney, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. “Canadians are ready for change, and our Liberal plan will cut taxes for the middle class, create higher paying jobs, build the fastest growing economy in the G7, and stand strong against President Trump’s tariffs.”
This middle-class tax cut will save two-income families up to $825 a year, by reducing the marginal tax rate on the lowest tax bracket by 1 percentage point. More than 22 million Canadians will benefit directly from this tax cut, and middle- and low-income Canadians will benefit the most.
CONSERVATIVES TO CUT INCOME TAX BY 15%, GST ON NEW HOMES
Poilievre announced he will cut income tax by 15%, dropping the tax rate on the lowest income tax bracket from 15% to 12.75%, meaning the average Canadian worker earning $57,000 will save $900, with two income families saving $1,800 a year. It’s time to let Canadians keep more of what they earn.
Later he announced that he will axe the federal sales tax (GST) on new homes up to $1.3 million. This tax cut will bring hope to new homebuyers after Liberal inflation drove up the benchmark housing price in Vancouver and Toronto to over $1 million.
Axing the GST will save homebuyers up to $65,000 on the purchase of an average home in our big cities, and save them roughly $3,000 every year in mortgage payments. It will also boost the number of new homes built each year, sparking the creation of 36,000 extra homes annually and generating income for construction workers and businesses. That will raise an extra $2.52 billion in income tax revenue from those trades workers and home builders.
NDP’s TAX CUT TO SAVE $1,450 a year
Singh announced a plan to put more money in the pockets of the people who need it most—working and middle-class Canadians, families struggling to make ends meet, seniors, and people with disabilities.
The NDP’s plan would save families over $1,450 a year by cutting taxes and permanently removing the GST from daily essentials.
NDP plan will:
Cut taxes for workers and families by raising the basic personal amount to $19,500—putting $505 back in the pockets of those earning between $19,500 and $177,882.
Permanently remove the GST from essentials like grocery store meals, diapers and strollers, plus monthly bills including cell, internet and heating bills. We estimate this will save a family of four $448 per year.
Reverse the Carney/Poilievre capital gains tax cut—a $17.4 billion handout to the wealthiest 0.13%
Double the Canada Disability Benefit, helping low-income people with disabilities live with dignity.
Lift all seniors out of poverty by raising the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
