Canada's Liberal party is transitioning away from the era defined by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by leveraging a surge of patriotism and implementing policies tailored to attract conservative-leaning voters disenchanted with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Party members will bid farewell to Trudeau, who has been grappling with declining popularity, on March 9. An ensuing national election, anticipated soon afterward, could serve as a litmus test for centrist parties globally grappling with the rise of right-wing populism exemplified by the Trump administration.
Trump's unprecedented threats towards Canada, a longstanding U.S. ally, have galvanized Canadians and given the trailing Liberals a fighting chance in the upcoming general election, slated by October and possibly even sooner.
In the Liberal leadership race, Mark Carney, the former head of both the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, leads the pack with the most party endorsements and funds among the four main contenders. Additionally, former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who diverged from Trudeau over fiscal matters and tariff strategies, is a prominent figure in the race.
With approximately 400,000 eligible voters in the party, the Liberals are striving to establish themselves as an anti-populist force while addressing populist concerns, as noted by University of British Columbia political science professor Stewart Prest.
To counter the dissatisfaction with Trudeau's government, the Liberals are pivoting to present themselves as responsible leaders, aiming to distance themselves from populist figures like Trump.
The Liberal frontrunners are adopting some policies advocated by Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, such as scrapping the consumer carbon pricing initiated by Trudeau, enhancing immigration restrictions, and reinforcing the armed forces.
While Poilievre's Conservatives maintain their lead in most polls, observers believe that Liberal parties worldwide could draw insights from Trump's aggressive actions towards Canada and the Liberal party's response.
Amidst the growing concerns over U.S.-Canada relations and the cost of living, political analysts suggest a need for a more robust approach to address economic challenges, as expressed by Tyler Meredith, a former policy advisor to Trudeau.