Canada Votes

Canadians vote today in an election strangely dominated by the United States.Until early this year, Liberals suffered in polls, and Conservatives held a huge lead.Then President Trump threatened to annex the country.

He imposed tariffs so steep that some economists foresee a recession.And he enraged Canadians, reversing the fortunes of each party.

Liberals made Trump the center of their campaign and rapidly took the lead.America’s shadow is also shaping the way many Canadians regard their ballot.Traditionally, voters elect their local representatives for Parliament, and then parties elect their leaders.

The head of the biggest party is the prime minister.This time, though, everything is personal.Many voters say they are thinking less about party loyalty and more about the man they want in the room negotiating with Trump.

The question for voters is: Which candidate can best defend Canada against what they see as the American menace? (The parties both oppose tariffs and annexation but criticize Trump with varying levels of intensity.)Today’s newsletter explains the stakes of a surprising race and introduces you to the two major candidates.The banker and the politicianWhat do Canadians want to see in their next leader?The Conservative Party’s Pierre Poilievre, 45, is more moderate than Trump on important issues including immigration and the size of government.He wants to limit both but not radically cut them.Yet he holds other positions in common with the American president: He savors a culture war and denounces “woke ideology.” He likes cryptocurrencies.

He has a sharp tongue.He antagonizes mainstream news outlets.

He wants to defund the country’s national broadcaster.At a time when Trump looks like a threat to their country, this is too much for many Canadians....