Liberals Close Gap on Conservatives as Leadership Change Looms
The gap between the Conservatives and Liberals is narrowing, potentially aided by a leadership change and unexpected U.S. political tensions.
The double-digit lead that Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives held over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberals for more than a year appears to have evaporated.
This shift has placed the Liberals in striking distance of the Conservatives. A recent poll indicates that they are now even with the Conservatives, particularly if the party elects former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney as their leader on March 9, which many expect.
Interestingly, U.S. President Donald Trump seems to have inadvertently saved the Liberals from potential political extinction. His irrational attacks on Canada, describing it as an unfair trader that should be annexed by the U.S., have prompted a surge of patriotism across the country.
As a result, the Canadian public has rallied around the current Liberal government. This newfound support appears to be bolstered by the fact that their unpopular Prime Minister is not seeking re-election, freeing the party from the burden of his leadership.
