Canadians are going to the polls on April 28 to elect a new government at a time of unprecedented turmoil with the United States, as President Donald Trump threatens the country's economy and sovereignty. Here is how voters, most of whom expressed concern over the US leader, viewed the first week of campaigning between Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney and his main rival, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Monika Wetzel, a health sector policy analyst, has voted for different parties in the past and has not yet made up her mind for this election.
"I'd be a happier person without Trump in my life at the moment," said the 34-year-old from Winnipeg, Manitoba in the western Canadian Prairies region. "Everyone is so fixated on Trump. He's everywhere.
It's overwhelming. I just don't want to hear anything more about him." At the same time, she said she wants candidates "to provide reassurance to Canadians that we'll get through this," as well as to keep the country united and prevent it from going into a recession.
Rob Vandertogt is an executive living just north of Toronto in Alliston, Ontario, the nation's most populous province. For him, the top issue in this campaign is the economy and US tariffs on Canadian products. "The Conservatives seem completely disconnected from what's really happening in the country.
The election has been all about Donald Trump and they're focused on everything else," said the 62-year-old voter. "We don't need a politician right now to lead the coun.
