Danielle Bochove :Canada’s Election Special

Canada's Election Special 


In his inaugural address as Prime Minister of Canada last month, Mark Carney pledged to transform the country into "a superpower in both conventional and clean energy." 

The mention of "conventional" energy is somewhat expected in a nation where the oil and gas industry remains predominant. However, it also highlights the delicate balance Carney, the leader of the Liberal Party, must maintain as he prepares to face Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in the upcoming general election on April 28, all while navigating a challenging trade conflict instigated by U.S. President Donald Trump. 

"I believe the political motivations for him are conducive to that type of compromise," remarked Jessica Green, a political scientist at the University of Toronto. 

According to Green, voters are currently preoccupied with issues that appear more urgent and alarming than climate change, such as a weakening social safety net, economic anxieties, and the rise of authoritarianism. In this context, opposition leader Poilievre has attributed increasing household expenses to climate policies, particularly the consumer carbon tax introduced by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Given the competitive nature of the election campaign, where the parties are often neck and neck, Green noted, "it makes sense not to emphasize climate." 

A representative from the Carney campaign stated that he has not opted to "downplay or diminish the importance of climate." 

"Climate change is a significant concern for many Canadians, but we would be neglectful if we didn't address other issues that matter to Canadians, such as affordability, our relationship with the United States, security, and more," she explained.
Edited:Olatunbosun Ibrahim Akanbi