31 March: As the second week of Canada’s 2025 federal election campaign gets underway, the political stakes continue to rise, with housing, foreign policy, and economic uncertainty at the heart of voter concerns. A new Nanos Research poll shows Mark Carney’s Liberals have taken an eight-point lead over Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, signaling a potential shift in momentum.
Carney unveils major housing plan, stands by embattled candidate
Campaigning in Vaughan, Ontario, Liberal Leader Mark Carney announced plans to double Canada’s housing construction rate to 500,000 new homes annually. The strategy includes the creation of Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency that would act as a developer and financing body to boost affordable housing, especially using prefabricated and modular construction techniques.
Carney’s day on the trail was also overshadowed by mounting pressure to remove Liberal incumbent Paul Chiang, who made controversial comments suggesting a Chinese bounty should be claimed on Conservative candidate Joe Tay. Despite widespread backlash and calls for Chiang to step down, Carney reiterated his support for Chiang, citing his 28 years of service as a police officer and his personal apology to Tay.
Poilievre stays firm on campaign messaging, unveils energy corridor plan
Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre campaigned in Saint John, New Brunswick, where he pledged to fast-track infrastructure projects like pipelines and transmission lines through a “Canada First” national energy corridor. Addressing criticism from within his party for not focusing enough on Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Poilievre defended his strategy, saying he remains focused on fixing what he calls the “lost Liberal decade.”
He also unveiled a fiscal proposal to defer capital gains tax on reinvestments within Canada, promising to fund the measure—estimated at $10.5 billion over two years—through spending cuts, reductions to foreign aid, and eliminating “bureaucracy and handouts.”
Singh targets climate, ends carbon tax and calls for corporate accountability
In Victoria, B.C., NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh launched his first major climate policy, vowing to permanently eliminate the consumer carbon tax. While the Liberals have already suspended the tax, Singh promises to scrap it entirely, redirecting funds from oil and gas subsidies to retrofit over 3 million homes for energy efficiency.
He also committed to maintaining the emissions cap and introducing a Border Carbon Adjustment to prevent overseas polluters from undercutting Canadian industries. Singh emphasized that the NDP remains the voice for working Canadians amid the growing threat of Trump’s tariffs.
Alberta premier blames Trudeau-Carney switch for Liberal resurgence
In a resurfaced video from a Florida gala, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, speaking alongside U.S. commentator Ben Shapiro, suggested that the Liberals’ current success is due to their leadership switch from Justin Trudeau to Mark Carney. Comparing it to the U.S. Democrats replacing Biden with Kamala Harris, Smith said the move gave the Liberals a “quick surge.”
Nanos tracking shows dramatic Ontario swing
Pollster Nik Nanos says the latest numbers reflect a “dramatic reversal” in Ontario, where the Liberals are now polling 12 points ahead of the Conservatives. Nationally, the Liberals sit at 44 per cent, the Conservatives at 36 per cent, and the NDP trailing at 11 per cent.
Canadians back asset transparency, security briefings for party leaders
New survey data from Nanos Research reveals that a majority of Canadians support greater transparency from both major leaders. 53 per cent want Carney to disclose his blind trust holdings, while 59 per cent believe Poilievre should obtain national security clearance to receive CSIS briefings on foreign interference.
Trade tensions escalate: Most support using tariffs against U.S.
In response to Donald Trump’s trade threats, three-quarters of Canadians support using tariffs on oil, gas, electricity, and critical minerals if the U.S. imposes economic measures. The survey suggests strong public backing for firm retaliatory action to protect Canadian interests.
Singh says NDP is needed amid “Trump storm”
Later in the day, Singh reiterated his message, warning of the “storm that Donald Trump presents.” He argued that the NDP is a crucial force in Parliament to counterbalance both the Liberals and Conservatives. Despite lagging in the polls, Singh remains confident that the NDP’s platform offers a clear alternative focused on fairness and sustainability.
Chiang controversy continues to stir national debate
Backlash continues over Paul Chiang’s remarks made earlier this year to Chinese-language media, where he referenced the HK$1-million bounty placed by Hong Kong police on Joe Tay, a democracy activist and Conservative candidate. Chiang has since apologized, but 13 human rights groups and the Conservative Party have called for his removal, warning that his remarks legitimize foreign interference.
Chiang, a former York Regional Police officer, was first elected in 2021 and previously served as parliamentary secretary for diversity and inclusion. The riding of Markham-Unionville, where Chiang is running, has a significant ethnic Chinese population, with more than half of visible minorities in the region identifying as Chinese.
Foreign interference remains a key issue in this election, especially following recent revelations that China has executed four Canadians since January, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly.
Conclusion
With under a month to go until election day, the federal race is intensifying. Housing, foreign policy, climate action, and the economy are taking centre stage, while internal controversies and global pressures add to the complexity of the campaign. The battle between Carney and Poilievre is sharpening, with Singh positioning himself as the needed alternative voice.
