We have officially entered the second half of the campaign, and the pace isn’t letting up. Since Wednesday, the trail has seen new policy drops, sharper contrasts, and more signs that the race is tightening. As leaders prep for the upcoming debates, strategies are shifting, stakes are rising, and every move counts. Here’s what’s unfolded since the midweek mark.
The Rundown
Secure Future: Over the past few days, Liberal leader Mark Carney pledged to make Canada the world’s top energy superpower while boosting public safety – fast-tracking resource projects, investing in critical minerals, and expanding Indigenous ownership, alongside hiring 2,000 new officers, cracking down on organized crime, and launching a national gun buyback program.
Build and Protect: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre packaged up a Canada First Economic Action Plan to cut taxes, fast-track resource projects, and make homeownership more affordable by scrapping GST on homes under $1.3M and tying federal funding to construction targets. They also introduced a tough public safety agenda, including a “Three Strikes” law and harsher penalties for repeat offenders. To address the skilled labour shortage, they plan to expand support for trades workers, restoring apprenticeship grants, eliminating travel expense caps, and promoting nationwide certification and union-led training.
Care and Fairness: NDP leader Jagmeet Singh doubled down on affordability and public health care, vowing to deliver full universal pharmacare within four years and frame access to medicine as a national security priority. In a speech to party faithful, he recommitted to national rent control, capping grocery prices, ending tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy, and defending Canadian sovereignty in trade.
Language and Borders: Bloc Québecois leader Yves-François Blanchet proposed exempting Quebec from the Official Languages Act, enforcing French in federal workplaces, and requiring French-only language requirements for citizenship in Quebec. He also pledged to fix what he calls a federal border failure by creating a new Ministry of Borders and cracking down on smuggling. Most recently, Blanchet committed to extending Quebec’s secularism law (Bill 21) to federal employees in the province, excluding Quebec from the Multiculturalism Act, and replacing prayer in Parliament with a moment of reflection to reinforce Quebec’s model of secularism.
Clean and Sovereign: The Green Party opposed the Billy Bishop Airport expansion, pushing instead for high-speed rail to cut emissions and protect urban livability. They also released a foreign policy plan centered on peace, democratic alliances, and Canadian sovereignty – calling to cancel the F-35 deal, boost refugee resettlement, and strengthen Arctic defence with a civilian protection corps.
The Inside Track
- Both leading parties have committed to releasing their full platforms shortly, with Mark Carney hinting at a release within several days, and Pierre Poilievre referencing his own at several campaign stops in recent weeks. While it may seem a given that parties table platforms, the reality in modern campaigns is that it’s no longer a certainty (just ask Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who won three majorities without a platform). Still, with this being a policy-heavy federal campaign, with near-daily announcements, and economic anxiety high, expect full platforms, including costing and fiscal plans, in time for leaders to cite them on the debate stage.
- Speaking of platforms, the Liberals under Carney are rapidly repositioning themselves as pragmatic, centrist, economically focused, and responsive to public anxieties, shifting away from the more doctrinaire, aspirational posture and mixed results of the Trudeau era. With the Trump threat as a backdrop, the Liberals are leaning into industry, energy, resources, and workforce issues, while also adopting positions that echo Conservative proposals on crime, tax cuts, and resource development. This not only supports the agenda rebrand and reflects the unprecedented wider context. It also allows the Liberals to neutralize policy differences across many fronts, leaving personality and trust as the key remaining contrast, which, in their minds and according to polling on preferred leadership, is a winning juxtaposition.
- The Conservative campaign continued at full speed this week, not taking a day off since the campaign began. In the latter part of the week, the CPC held rallies in Brampton and Kitchener, drawing significant crowds and building on what they see as momentum on the ground. Yesterday, the campaign started with a policy announcement in St. Catharines, followed by a trip to southern Ontario for a rally in Windsor. Over the weekend, the campaign plans to be active in the National Capital Region, where Liberals currently hold all federal seats other than Pierre Poilievre’s riding of Carleton.
- NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is fighting for survival at the helm of the NDP party this election. This week, the NDP made their first campaign stop in Saskatoon, SK. While polls seem to indicate the Conservatives may be losing some ground in a province which they currently hold every seat, it is not shifting to the NDP. The NDP need 12 seats nationally to maintain official party status in the new parliament, and without a major uptick in their numbers, this loss of status could be the party’s new reality. Regardless, the party released a new video, urging voters to “Keep Canada, Canada,” and stating that their party would not support a minority Conservative government the way they did the Liberals.
South of the Border
Congress Pushes Back: In response to Trump’s sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs, U.S. lawmakers are advancing bipartisan measures to reassert congressional control over trade. Most significantly, the Trade Review Act of 2025, led by Senators Maria Cantwell and Chuck Grassley, would require new tariffs to expire after 60 days without congressional approval. Despite backing from key Republicans, the bill faces resistance from House and Senate leadership, and a veto threat from the White House. A separate Senate resolution seeks to repeal the new global tariffs outright – though both efforts face an uphill climb amid growing concerns over impacts on allies like Canada.
Tariff Pause Rattle: After intense backlash, Trump’s 90-day pause on most tariffs – holding them at 10 per cent for all but China – sparked a brief market rally, with the Dow jumping nearly 3,000 points before sliding again as investors questioned the policy’s stability. While the pause offers short-term relief for some allies, uncertainty around Trump’s trade strategy continues to weigh on investment and cross-border confidence.
Hot… or Not?
Doot Doola Doot Doo … Doot Doo! You can’t really call it a campaign until you get the chance to score an appearance with Canada’s most famously obscure interviewer, Nardwuar (The Human Serviette). This week, we were treated to not one, but two, great conversations with the Vancouver-based legend. Both Mark Carney and Jagmeet Singh took time out to travel down musical memory lane, capping off their visits with rousing games of Hip Flip and awkward freeze-frame photos.
Dude, Where’s My Car? Pierre Poilievre released a video this week that had some people nodding and others scratching their heads. The video featured Poilievre and his wife Anaida, driving a Riptide Blue C8 Corvette Z06 around a closed track in Oliver, B.C. With no voiceover or commentary beyond the title, “Change is coming down the track – and it’s coming fast,” and the campaign slogan at the end, viewers were left to come to their own conclusions on this video.
Captain Canuck Canadian Comeback: In an interview with Reuters, co-creator of the Captain Canuck comic book character, Richard Comely, explained how Donald Trump’s annexation and trade war threats have “breathed new life” into this 1970s superhero. The 50th anniversary issue which features Captain Canuck, a former Mountie with superhuman strength, standing up to Trump and Elon Musk, has brought renewed interest for this Canadian hero.
Polling-Gate: After a year-long Conservative lead, the polls have swung wildly, now putting the Liberals slightly ahead, fueling debate about their accuracy. A grassroots movement among Conservative supporters has emerged with shirts and slogans asking the question, “Do you believe the polls?” While Poilievre argues his large rallies demonstrate there is clear support for his campaign, he has distanced himself from this movement and confirmed definitively that he would accept the April 28 results, no matter the outcome.
Sign Scam: Stolen or vandalized campaign signs are unfortunately reported in every election, however, this recent post by Liberal incumbent Adam van Koeverden shows a pretty disturbing level of mischief. Not only is this a pretty unneighbourly, antidemocratic activity, but interfering with election signs is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Elections Canada Act.
Buy Canadian Boom: According to a special report released by BMO, the Buy Canadian movement could add as much as “$10 billion to the Canadian economy annually.” It is not all good news, since Canada is a major importer of things like household products, cars and consumer electronics, the report warns that this behavioural movement could lead to less selection and higher prices.
Bluesky Bonus
Can Carney Hold the Lead? Principal and Co-founder Susan Smith joined CPAC’s PrimeTime Politics strategists panel to break down whether Mark Carney can convert his polling advantage into a win. Don’t miss her take.
Ad Strategies in the Spotlight: VP Jordan Paquet spoke with The Hill Times about how Conservatives are using long-form videos to engage voters, while Liberals stick to a “boring by design” front-runner approach.
Missed Episode 3 of Behind the Ballot? In our latest episode, VP Janice Nicholson and veteran campaignstrategist Jason Easton break down the ground game – how parties mobilize voters when it matters most. From canvassing to digital outreach, it’s all about getting out the vote.
