The writ dropped Sunday, and it didn’t take some Calgary candidates very long to launch their federal election campaigns.
The next five weeks will see promises from parties about affordability measures, housing, health care and more.
But there’s perhaps one issue likely to ‘trump’ them all—Canada-U.S. relations.
Polling indicates Canada’s standing with the United States is one of the biggest issues of this election campaign.
On the first full day of the campaign, affordability was the topic.
The day after the Liberal Party announced a tax cut for the middle class, the Conservatives pitched a similar policy.
Both would save families hundreds of dollars if implemented.
“This is a tax cut for everybody who has ever gotten up early in the morning and worked hard to build our country. This is a tax cut that will put Canada first,” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in Brampton, Ont.
The Liberals say the extra savings promised by the Conservatives would come at a cost.
“If you take their tax announcement today and you take what Mr. Poilievre said, no more child care, no more pharmacare, no more dental care,” Liberal Leader Mark Carney said in Gander, N.L.
But there’s another topic expected to cast a shadow between now and April 28.
“The chief question going into this election … is who’s best going to address Donald Trump,” said Trevor Harrison, University of Lethbridge political scientist.
On Monday, the U.S. president reiterated his tariff threat for April 2.
But Trump says some trading partners may be given a pass.
“I may give a lot of countries breaks. It’s reciprocal, but we may be nicer than that. We’ve been very nice to a lot of countries for a long time. I call it Liberation Day. April 2 is Liberation Day,” he said.
Just weeks later, Canadians will face Decision Day.
And Calgarians are weighing their options—and priorities.
“Tariffs are No. 1 for everybody right now. … We need somebody that can outsmart Trump, for sure,” said one person CTV News spoke with.
“I think how we handle our relationship with the U.S. is going to be a big issue, and yeah, definitely cost of living,” said another.
Calgary has one additional riding at the federal level now, and Calgarians will choose 11 MPs on election day.
So far, the Conservatives have named nine candidates in Calgary, while the NDP and Liberals have each announced five.
Candidate nominations close on April 7.
