A snap election defined by economic anxiety and annexation threats is now a two-man race about who can stand up to the president.

Carney, a Harvard-educated technocrat two months into his political career, has capitalized on his image as a steady hand at the tiller in an economic storm.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Liberal Party leader, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pose for a photo before the French-language federal leaders' debate, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, April 16, 2025. [Christopher Katsarov/Pool via Reuters]