Canadians began voting on Monday for a new government after an election campaign in which the US' trade war and threats to annex Canada were the key issues. Leading candidates pledged to build an economy that can sustain without depending on its southern neighbor. 

The election is primarily a battle between Prime Minister Mark Carney, who leads the Liberal Party of Canada, Leader of the Opposition Pierre Poilievre, who is also head of the Conservative Party of Canada, Yves-Francois Blanchet, who heads the Bloc Quebecois party and Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party.

Mr Carney, 60, has never held elected office and only replaced Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister last month. He had a lucrative career as an investment banker before serving as the central bank governor in both Canada and Britain. He has argued that his global financial experience has prepared him to guide Canada's response to US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Mr Poilievre, 45, has tried to keep the focus on domestic concerns that made Mr Trudeau deeply unpopular toward the end of his decade in power, especially soaring living costs. "You cannot handle another four years of this," he said recently. 

Mr Blanchet' Bloc Quebecois represents Quebec's interests in Canada's House of Commons. The province plays a crucial role in this pivotal election, and Mr Blanchet is focused on his mission to ensure Quebec has a strong and unique voice in Ottawa.

Mr Singh of the New Democratic Party is once again on the ballot, pushing bold promises, a progressive agenda, and the hope that Canadians are ready for more than just the usual political dance. For years, he played the balancing act in Parliament, propping up former Prime Minister Trudeau's minority government while pushing through key wins like dental care and pandemic relief for low-income workers. In 2024, he pulled the plug.