Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre wrapped up their campaigns on a somber note on Sunday after at least 11 people died when a man drove through a crowd at a Filipino community festival in Vancouver.
Sunday was the final day of a five-week campaign for Carney and Poilievre to make their pitches to voters ahead of an election on Monday that has centered largely on U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and threats to annex Canada.
It was unknown if the mass casualty event in Vancouver would have any impact on the election and both candidates offered their condolences. Police said they had arrested a 30-year-old Vancouver man who was "known" to them.
Carney planned to travel to Vancouver later on Sunday to join British Columbia Premier David Eby and community leaders, a Liberal Party official said.
“Our hearts go to the friends and the families of those affected. It's a terrible loss in a very tight-knit community, the Filipino community in the Lower Mainland, the Filipino community here in Saskatoon, the 1-million-strong Filipino community across Canada, and in fact, all Canadians,” Carney said at a meeting with supporters.
Poilievre, speaking at an event in Oakville, Ontario, mentioned the tragedy and the country's Filipino community "who have lost so much." Supporters later chanted, "we want change," emphasizing their demand for new blood after nearly a decade of Liberal rule under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Poilievre has promised to reduce spending on foreign aid, and axe a federal sales tax on Canadian-made autos as long as the U.S. tariffs are in place.
"We will reward production here in Canada," he said.
Carney met with supporters in Saskatchewan after making a case a day earlier in Ontario that he is best placed to steer Canada through a crisis triggered by Trump's tariffs. Later he will meet with supporters in Edmonton.
But an official with his campaign said the prime minister had canceled election day rallies in Calgary and Richmond, British Columbia, because of the car-ramming attack in Vancouver.
Carney, a two-time central banker and former college hockey goalie who took over this year after Trudeau resigned, had referenced the country's most popular sport as he campaigned ahead of Monday's election.
"We are in the equivalent of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup in the last two minutes," Carney, 60, said in a speech north of Toronto, referring to the National Hockey League championship.
NARROW LIBERAL LEAD
Pollsters say Carney's Liberal Party holds a narrow lead in popular support ahead of final voting, after Trump slapped tariffs on Canada and repeatedly referred to the once-close ally as the 51st U.S. state. Trump's comments enraged Canadians and reversed a lead of some 20 points for Poilievre, whom the Liberals have compared to Trump.
British Columbia's 43 electoral districts are among the country's most closely contested battlegrounds.
A Nanos poll on Sunday said the gap between the two front-running parties was approximately 4 percentage points, slightly wider than it had been on Saturday.
The poll put national Liberal support at 43% versus 38.9% for the Conservatives.
That result in national voting would usually translate into a Liberal win, because the party's support is more concentrated than the Conservatives' in urban areas rich with electoral districts, or seats. It is unclear if it would result in the Liberals winning a majority of seats to govern without a smaller party's help.
Nanos surveyed 1,600 adult Canadians between April 24 and 26. The poll is accurate to 2.4 percentage points. An Ipsos Canada poll released later on Sunday also showed the Liberals leading by four points.
Poilievre's promises of change and his pledges to curb living costs have resonated with young men, among others, leading to large crowds at rallies.
Carney, who has distanced himself from Trudeau's policies since taking over in March and has attracted mainly older voters to rallies, had been expected to hold a frenetic four-province canvassing sprint on Sunday.
© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025.
39 Comments
GuruMick
Who would target Philipinos, some of the nicest and devout Christian people. ?
Perhaps it was a tragic driving error....seems not however.
MarkX
Unfortunately Canada has moved much more to what the US has become. Blame and target immigrants, and the leader pictured in the picture above is the main cause of it. He is stoking hate and fear, following the GOP play book to a tea!
kurisupisu
Carney with his offshore accounts and habit of sponging flights off the Canadian government seems to be fully qualified to take over from the drama teacher…
Underworld
The interesting thing here, is that the Conservatives pretty much had this election sown up.
Then along comes Trump with his 51st state and tariff talk, and it looks like it will be a reversal of fortune for the Conservatives.
Trump has made conservatism unpopular again.
Jay
Any Canadians even thinking about voting for Mark Carney, do yourself a favor and actually read his book - like I have - and see firsthand the dystopian blueprint he’s pushing. Carney is a full-blown central planner who dreams of the GOVERNMENT micromanaging every inch of your life under the phony banner of “sustainability.” He’s a rabid ESG zealot, espousing corporate social credit systems that have NOTHING to do with real environmental stewardship and everything to do with centralized control.
Oh, and ties to BlackRock, Vanguard, and the rest of the globalist parasites should set off alarms for anyone who still values independent thought.
Worst of all, he’s openly committed to DEI dogma - prioritizing identity politics over fairness, merit, and competence... because I'm sure we all want a future where mediocrity is rewarded, freedom is strangled, and elites tighten their grip under the guise of “good governance!”
If you're Canadian, enrolled to vote and value anything about democracy, merit, or basic economic sanity - RUN in the opposite direction.
Desert Tortoise
Not Canadian so I don't have anything at stake in the election but I would like to see Mr. Carney remain PM simply because he is a wily central banker who has shown he isn't afraid to retaliate against the US in a meaningful way by orchestrating a group of European nations and Japan along with Canada to sell off their holdings of US bonds in a slow bleed that is driving down bond prices and making it harder for the US to borrow. Of all the global leaders he seems among the best equipped in terms of knowledge to deal with the Trump administration trade war.
Underworld
Jay
DEI does the opposite. It prioritizes fairness, merit, and competence over identity politics.
Mark Carney wouldn't have a hope in hell of winning this election without Trump's help. Trump pushed public support away from the Conservatives.
proxy
Canada hasn't quite run out of other people's money yet so many will vote against the interests of their country for more taxes and government intervention in the economy. It is perhaps the last opportunity for Boomers to literally and figuratively give the finger to younger folks. I would expect that the party that has promised the most government spending to win.
lincolnman
I hope our good friends in Canada recognize one thing - a large majority of Americans appreciate and truly like our northern neighbors who have a beautiful country and a reputation for courtesy and friendliness...
The partnerships we share; cultural, economic, and defense-related, I think are even strong enough to survive the hate and vitriol of Trump and his gang of Dimwits...
Please don't assume the nonsense spread by the MAGA-idiots is anything near what real Americans think...
HopeSpringsEternal
If Canada wants another CCP China outsourcing loving Globalist, then Mark Carney is definitely your man!
If Canada wants someone who believes Canada should not increasingly rely on China for manufacturing and supply chains and is worried about their rapid military buildup, then Pierre Poilievre is definitely your man!
Choose wisely Oh Canada, as your ongoing affordability crisis depends upon taking a new direction, not more of the same!
Jay
Not sure if serious. DEI is not and has never been about fairness when it systematically disadvantages people based on their skin color, privileging one group over another instead of evaluating everyone based on their individual merits and abilities. That sort of nonsense has no place in a great country like Canada.
deanzaZZR
Canada is a different kind of animal. This guy once held 3 passports (Canada, UK, Ireland). Now he will get elected because of Trump.
HopeSpringsEternal
Canada, like every country needs to prioritize meritocracy and do everything it can to eliminate any bias in society. DEI = institutional bias, cancer for society
If Canada wants to adopt other insane social policy from south of the border, like men in women's sports, open borders, Trans affirming care, anti-religion, anti-family etc., then Globalist Carney is definitely the PM for you!
Tokyo Guy
This will be an interesting one, in that it will tell us whether we are a special kind of stupid for re-electing Trump, or whether the mind rot is basically taking over the world and that as a species we're just not bothered anymore.
proxy
A single retired Boomer in Canada with an income of $93,000 still demands that a struggling 26 year old with an income of $70,000 be taxed to transfer more money to the Boomers.
It is sad that greedy Boomers in Canada are still allowed to vote and stick it to Gen Z and everyone else.
Jimizo
Certainly looks like Trump’s antics have given the Liberals a real shot at this.
Astonishing turnaround.
Jimizo
Canadian Conservatives must be furious with Trump.
No?
Underworld
Jay
DEI does the opposite. It prioritizes fairness, merit, and competence over identity politics.
It does not. DEI ensures that all potential candidates from all ethnicities and backgrounds can show that they possess individual merits and abilities. It expands the candidate pool.
It is a true meritocracy, which rarely exists without DEI policies.
It isn't nonsense. DEI was introduced to ensure true meritocracy.
Desert Tortoise
For centuries in both the US and Canada non-whites and women were assumed to be somehow naturally less worthy and less competent than white males. Women and non-whites were not even allowed to vote or own land for many years. And despite the Suffragette movement and civil rights struggles those stereotypes persist. Non whites still do not have equal access to education, health care or the best careers. DEI is an attempt to right those old wrongs and acknowledge that women and non-whites can indeed do anything and any job a white male can do. The problem isn't DEI, it is insecure white males who feel threatened by obviously more competent non-whites and are especially threatened by competent women. All I have to say to that is grow up you little babies.
proxy
@Underworld
To foster equality and fairness symphonies in Canada implemented blind auditions in which no identifiable characteristic was known and the musicians auditioned from behind a curtain so nobody could know their age, gender, race or origin. That worked well, musicians were judged solely on their proficiency on their instrument.
However DEI has ended blind auditions. Now symphonies MUST offer seats based on DEI which results in a significantly lower quality of the product.
proxy
@Desert Tortoise
In fact, the most closely correlated factor in accessing post-secondary education in Canada is being the child of immigrants.
Jimizo
@proxy
I think you are a Conservative leaning Canadian.
What do you think on Trump’s effect on this election?
virusrex
Unfortunately for people that are against diversity, equality and inclusion this argument holds no weight. This is because they assume minorities have by default diminished abilities, so the only way they could perform the same as a white male is by being elevated above their much lower status.
Jimizo
I heard the followers of Jordan Henderson really don’t like DEI.
rainyday
Oh my god, you mean he actually wants government to do things, corporations to act responsibly, and diversity to be valued?
He probably doesn't even see the democratic value of governments being allowed to deport two year old citizens to El Salvador without due process or any check on their authority for crying out loud. What is with this guy?
Thanks for the warning bro!
Desert Tortoise
In the US the factor most closely associated with educational attainment is family wealth. Guess who are the wealthiest in the US? Whites.
proxy
@Desert Tortoise
Stay on topic please, the US is not the topic here.
HopeSpringsEternal
Election will likely boil down to economics, just like US Nov election. Canadians Unhappy at their affordability crisis, especially housing. So strange, a country with so much land and timber/resources, yet too few homes?!
Time for economic policy change in Canada, not more of the same, and probably wise to select a 'fresh' face vs. an Aging Globalist who hates Trump.
Make good relations, be a good neighbor and see your country $benefit as a result, Oooohhhh Canada!!!
Yrral
Canadian seen Trump,they do not want American future
proxy
@virusrex
The stats are pretty clear, racialized Canadians have the highest incomes; hard work, education and strong families are the keys to success. Growing up in a home led by a single mother with 4 half-siblings is not a path to success.
Provinces such as Alberta are creating equality of opportunity by identifying these kids as early as grade 1 and giving them the extra education that they deserve so that they will have an equal opportunity.
Forcing companies to hire 30 year olds with no education and a bad attitude is not the answer.
proxy
@HopeSpringsEternal
Yes, it is ridiculous that in a country of limitless land and resources to build houses that there is a shortage.
But Canadians, in particular Boomers have been voting in municipal elections, provincial elections and federal elections for policies that result in housing shortages and rising prices. No politician in Canada could ever be elected by promising voters that the value of their home will go down by 50%.
proxy
@virusrex
Everybody in Canada already does have the same capacity to rise to high positions in society and in the reach of everybody independently of which demographics they have.
The only thing employers in Canada look for is somebody who will arrive on time with a willingness to learn.
virusrex
This would mean that every group is equally represented in the higher positions of society, if not then the only explanation is an unfair system that invalidly discriminates against them.
So you think some people are inferior than others, and they will not learn so it is justified for them to be underrepresented, you are not refuting the claim that some people have this prejudices, you are just explaining yours and pretend it is a justification for considering groups of people less worthy of being successful.
Ricky Kaminski13
From this side of the political fence, we are all quietly hoping that Canadians wake up and find some ability to hear through the noise. The party of True Dough should have presented ample evidence to us all as to the absurdities and disastrous roads taken when such radical leftists are at the helm, (they become pawns of more insidious forces), but then again, didn't Canadians vote him in twice? How does that even happen? You just never know with Maple-loving friends. So you guys just want to be NOT American, right, that seems to be a fairly common cultural theme. Not exactly an identity, though, is it? Don't need one?
The first post-nationalist country? What does that even mean? The globalists dream of such a populace! And Carney is their man, tried and proven.
He is good too. Plays a sharp game and presses all the buttons to try and sway people back to the party that became such a worldwide joke. Trudeau will go down in history btw, just not in the way he thinks it will be.
Been a huge fan and follower of Poilievre, who seemed a shoo-in a year ago, but a year is a long time in politics. Choose wisely and well, Canada. We are all rootin for yaz! Good luck and may the best man win.
proxy
There are problems with your assumptions. The demographics of Canada are radically different than they were in 1975. The folks who are 60 and leading companies now entered the workforce when far fewer woman entered the workforce and Canada had far, far fewer racialized people. It takes decades of work and experience to rise to the C-Suite. One should not expect many 30 year olds to lead companies.
Go have a look at the faces of the currently elected parliament.
Boomers are all voting for Carney, typical privileged white male over Poilievre with an openly gay biological father and non-white immigrant wife.
Sh1mon M4sada
LOL, his track record says he's only good at helping elites avoid paying taxes.
rainyday
LMAO at the MAGA crowd embracing wokeism.
HopeSpringsEternal
Canadian people do not believe in the direction of their country, especially due to affordability crisis. Expect voters to vote for change, just like what's been happening across US and Europe for several years now.
wallace
HopeSpringsEternal
Good to have someone who knows how the Americans, Japanese, and now the Canadians think.