Trump Looms Large in Canada’s Prime Ministerial Face-Off, Shaking Up Election Drama

Donald Trump isn’t running for office in Canada, but you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise after last night’s heated prime ministerial debate. Prime Minister Mark Carney wasted no time declaring that Trump himself is the "greatest challenge Canada is facing," as he squared off against Conservative challenger Pierre Poilievre.

Carney, switching between English and French, declared the election is basically a battle over who’s best prepared to handle the Trump factor. That’s one heck of a twist for a Canadian election—when the neighbor’s former president becomes the star of your show.

The exchange got spicy after Poilievre accused Carney of being a Trudeau clone, referencing Justin Trudeau’s abrupt departure from office earlier this year after his poll numbers tanked. The Liberal Party, thought to be down for the count, suddenly found its stride as Trump rhetoric ramped up south of the border.

Carney didn’t hold back, calling the current climate "the most serious crisis of our lives," and insisted Canada must respond forcefully to Trump’s policies. The newly minted prime minister (thanks to a landslide vote by his Liberal Party just last month) now has to convince Canadians he’s the steady hand needed for rough waters ahead.

With the U.S. ramping up tariffs and Trump making eyebrow-raising threats—like the whole "51st state" business—Carney’s polling numbers have rebounded. Many see him as the guy to lead tough talks with Washington, especially given his track record running the Bank of Canada and, yes, the Bank of England. If you ever needed a résumé built for crises, that’s it.

Meanwhile, Poilievre’s "Canada First" message is struggling, partly because it sounds a little too much like Trump’s "America First" vibe. The conservative camp isn’t thrilled with Poilievre’s seemingly slow reaction to Trump’s latest moves, and some party insiders are getting restless.

Still, the race is tightening, with cost-of-living voters leaning Poilievre and those worried about the economy and U.S. relations lining up behind Carney. Poilievre’s been in Parliament since 2004, but Carney’s banking credentials are giving him an edge as trade tensions rise.

With the election looming, it’s clear the real wild card isn’t just who’s on the ballot—but who’s looming over it from Washington. Only in 2025 could a U.S. ex-president be the hottest debate topic in Ottawa.