Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, a member of the Liberal Party, announced in an X post on Sunday that he had “just asked the Governor General to dissolve parliament and call a federal election on April 28.” This move paves the way for an election to elect a new Parliament.
At the time of Parliament’s dissolution, the Liberal Party had 152 seats while the Conservative Party of Canada held 120 seats. The remaining seats were held by minor political parties, with 33 constituencies represented by members of the Bloc Quebecois Party, 24 seats held by the New Democratic Party and two constituencies represented by members of the Green Party. Three seats were held by independent members of the Parliament.
Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative Party's leader, could become Canada's next prime minister depending on how the election turns out. He represents Carleton, Ontario, in the House of Commons.
Carney took office earlier this month, replacing former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau, who led the country for the last 10 years, announced his intention to step down in January. A victory by the Conservative Party in this year’s election would mark the first time since 2015 that the party has held power in Canada.
The most recent opinion polls show a close race. A survey of 1,500 Canadian voters conducted by Liaison Strategies from March 21-23 found that 40% of respondents plan to support the Liberal Party, followed by 36% who intend to vote for the Conservative Party, 9% plan to back the New Democratic Party, 6% who favor the Bloc Quebecois Party, 4% expressed support for the Green Party and 3% plan to back the People’s Party of Canada. The poll had a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points.
Meanwhile, a poll of 1,500 conducted by Abacus Data from March 17-20 painted a slightly different picture. This survey found Conservatives at 39% support, followed by Liberals at 36% and the New Democratic Party at 12%. The Bloc Quebecois came in fourth place, while the Green Party was in fifth. The margin of error was +/-2.5 percentage points.
Both surveys suggest that Poilievre and the Conservatives have a reasonable chance of winning the election. Here are four things to know about the man who might become the next prime minister of Canada.
1. Pierre Poilievre declined to commit to following Trump’s lead on gender ideology
In an interview with CTV in January, Poilievre was asked whether he would follow United States President Donald Trump’s lead after the newly elected leader opted to implement an executive order defining sex as “an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female” and made it official government policy to recognize only two sexes.
“I’m not aware of any other genders than men and women,” he responded.
While he expressed his belief that there are only two genders, Poilievre suggested he would take a hands-off approach on the issue: “As far as I’m concerned, we should have a government that just minds its own damn business and leaves people alone, to make their own personal decisions. That’s the kind of government I’m going to run.”
When asked if he would require the U.S. to recognize passports belonging to gender-neutral Canadians, Poilievre described media preoccupation with his position on LGBT ideology as “a strange priority.”
"My priority is to give people back control of their lives, bring back Canada’s promise that anyone who works hard gets a powerful paycheck and pension that buys affordable food, gas and homes in safe neighborhoods,” he said.
“If liberals want to talk about different labels for gender that they want to put on passports in the United States, they can do that. I’m going to talk about the things that will bring home Canada’s promise.”
2. He supports abortion and same-sex marriage
The Campaign Life Coalition, a pro-life advocacy organization based in Canada, has described Poilievre as “pro-abortion” and “pro-LGBT ideology,” assigning him a “red light” rating. The “red light” rating is reserved for politicians the Campaign Life Coalition deems “not supportable.” The group shared the contents of a September 2024 letter from the Conservative Party leader outlining his position on abortion.
“While my government will not introduce or pass a law banning abortions, there are many other ways to support women who want to bring a child into the world,” he wrote. “I do not believe that abortion should be the only option available to women faced with an unexpected pregnancy. We can ease the challenges of putting a child up for adoption by supporting women through all nine months of pregnancy. I will also stand up against attempts by the government to attack organizations that help pregnant women.”
In Parliament, Poilievre voted against a bill that would ban sex-selective abortions.
Poilievre also expressed regret for voting against a same-sex marriage bill in 2005 and came out in support of it in a 2020 interview: “I support gay marriages. Period. I voted against 15 years ago. But I learned a lot, like millions and millions of people across Canada and around the world. I find that the gay marriage is a success. The institution of marriage must be open to all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation.”
3. He was adopted
Poilievre shared more about his upbringing in a March 2017 Facebook post, which featured a picture of him alongside his biological grandfather. “Because I was adopted, my biological grandfather and I did not meet until I was in my early 20s,” he explained. “Patrick Farrell was the kindest, gentlest and most Irish man I ever knew.”
“He started St. Patrick’s Day suffering in his hospital bed. He ended it in Heaven — a place full of shamrocks, four-leaf clovers and maybe a little Bushmills Irish Whiskey. On my final visit to see him a few weeks ago, he was so weak that he could barely speak. As I said goodbye, he grabbed my arm and would not let go. He was trying to say something, but his lungs could not make words. Finally, he pulled me in close and said, ‘I never forgot you.’ I will never forget you either, grandpa.”
In a 2022 speech delivered to the Empire Club of Canada, Poilievre detailed how his upbringing influenced his political views: “I was born of an unwed 16-year-old mother who had to put me up to adoption to two schoolteachers."
"But they always taught me that it didn’t matter where I came from. It mattered where I was going," he continued. "It didn’t matter who I knew but what I could do and that is the country I want my children to inherit and that is the country that we will restore when I am prime minister.”
4. He has rejected the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state
After Trump raised the idea of making Canada the 51st U.S. state, Poilievre strongly pushed back during remarks at a Feb. 15 Flag Day rally: “Let me be clear. We will never be the 51st state. We will bear any burden and pay any price to protect the sovereignty and independence of our country.”
Trump first suggested that Canada should join the U.S. as its 51st state in a Dec. 18, 2024, post on Truth Social. “Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st state,” he wrote. “They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!”
In an interview on CTV shortly after Trump made the suggestion, Poilievre firmly declared, “Canada will never be the 51st state of the U.S.” According to Poilievre, “we have a heroic history, a great, great people and a very proud future ahead of us.”
Trump doubled down on his call for Canada to join the U.S. in a Jan. 6 post on Truth Social, which followed the announcement from Trudeau that he would step down. Reiterating that “Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State,” Trump insisted that “The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat.”
“Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned,” Trump maintained. “If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!”
Trump’s Jan. 6 post prompted a response from Poilievre on X the following day, which proclaimed “Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country.”
Originally published by The Christian Post
