Tight Race Emerges in Carleton as Election Day Approaches

Canada's federal election is shaping up to be a close contest between Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals and Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives, with recent polls showing the Liberals holding a slim lead of just two percentage points. The campaign has been heavily influenced by concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies, with older voters prioritizing leadership capable of standing up to Trump, a perceived advantage for Carney. The Conservatives, however, have appealed to voters seeking change after nearly a decade of Liberal rule, focusing on cost-of-living issues and a desire for new direction. In Poilievre's own Carleton riding, usually a Conservative stronghold, reports suggest an unexpectedly tight race, prompting the party to bolster campaign efforts there. High advance polling turnout signals strong voter engagement nationwide. Both parties have ramped up their campaigns in the final days, reflecting the heightened competitiveness and shifting public sentiment.