Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney calls April 28 snap election

Canada's newly-appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election, sending the country to the polls on 28 April.

The general election call comes as Canada faces a trade war and threats to its sovereignty from US President Donald Trump - issues that are expected to be top of mind for voters.

It also comes nine days after Carney, a Liberal, was sworn in as Canada's prime minister following Justin Trudeau's resignation.

Carney must now face Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, whose party had been leading in national polls since mid-2023, though recent polls suggest the race is now neck-and-neck.

Speaking after asking Governor General Mary Simon for a dissolution of Parliament, Carney said he needed a clear, positive mandate to deal with Trump and create an economy that benefitted everyone.

The Liberals – once written off for this election - now have a chance of forming a government for the fourth consecutive time under Carney.

Carney, the former chief of the banks of England and Canada, has never served as an MP. He is untested politically, outside of a quick leadership race where he had only to win over Liberal Party faithful.

Now he'll face the general electorate, which is concerned about Canada's rapidly shifting relationship with the US, its historically close ally, as well as the country's high cost of living.

Source: BBC