The 2025 Canadian federal election is set to take place on April 28, following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s request to Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve parliament.
Carney, who assumed office on March 14, 2025 following Justin Trudeau’s resignation, leads the Liberal Party into an election defined by economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions with the U.S.
The election comes amidst a period of strained relations with the U.S., as President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and made controversial remarks suggesting that Canada should join the U.S. as its 51 state.
As Canadians prepare to vote, the major political parties, the Liberal Party of Canada, the Conservative Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party (NDP) have unveiled their policy commitments.
Liberal Party promises
One of the priorities of the Liberal Party and Mark Carney include expanding the operations of the Canadian Armed Forces in the Arctic. They plan to adopt Australia’s over-the-horizon radar system to enhance security while also committing $253 million to Indigenous reconciliation programs in the North.
In addition to these military measures, the Liberals have pledged $187 million toward repairing and rebuilding infrastructure in Jasper National Park.
On economic matters, the party has confirmed that the planned capital gains tax increase will not proceed, and they aim to provide immediate relief to workers affected by U.S. tariffs by removing the one-week waiting period for employment insurance benefits. Businesses will receive temporary deferrals on income tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax payments.
Supporting military personnel is another priority, with commitments to increasing salaries, expanding housing on military bases and improving access to health-care and child-care services.
The party has also set a target to accelerate defence spending to meet North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s two per cent GDP threshold by 2030.
For the auto sector, they plan to introduce a $2-billion strategic response fund aimed at protecting Canadian jobs and manufacturing, prioritizing investment in Canadian-built vehicles.
Conservative Party promises
Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party have framed their campaign around reducing crime, lowering taxes and addressing housing affordability.
They have proposed mandatory sentences for major crimes, including life imprisonment for large-scale fentanyl traffickers, human traffickers convicted of five or more counts and those exporting 10 or more illegal firearms.
Their economic policies emphasize tax relief, particularly through allowing Canadians to contribute an additional $5,000 annually to a tax-free savings account if the funds are invested in Canadian companies.
The Conservatives have committed to maintaining the retirement age at 65 while allowing working seniors to earn up to $34,000 a year without paying income tax.
The Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) withdrawal deadline would also be extended from age 71 to 73.
Housing affordability is another focus, with a promise to eliminate GST on new homes costing up to $1.3 million and to help push municipalities to release more land, speed up building permits and cut development charges.
Poilievre has pledged to reduce the lowest income tax bracket from 15 per cent to 12.75 per cent, potentially saving dual-income families up to $1,800 per year, a policy to be funded by cutting federal bureaucracy.
In the realm of job training, the Conservatives propose expanding training halls for skilled trades and providing direct grants and quicker access to employment insurance for licensed-trades apprentices.
The Conservatives plan to also accelerate resource and mining development by establishing “shovel-ready zones” with pre-approved permits and ensuring all federal approvals for mining in Ontario’s northwestern region are completed within six months.
The party also aims to repeal the entire carbon pricing law, broaden eligibility for clean technology and manufacturing tax credits and reward businesses that produce low-emission goods.
New Democratic Party promises
Jagmeet Singh and the NDP have centered their campaign on housing affordability, economic fairness and labour protections.
Their housing strategy includes a ban on corporations purchasing affordable rental properties and preventing corporate landlords from accessing low-interest federal loans, tax benefits and mortgage loan insurance.
They propose expanding the rental protection fund to help non-profits acquire affordable housing units and utilizing federal Crown land to construct 100,000 rent-controlled homes over the next decade.
Additionally, the NDP pledged $1 billion over five years to secure public land for affordable housing. Their economic platform emphasizes worker protection and higher wages, with a plan to increase employment insurance benefits for jobs in the Canadian auto sector and direct revenue from counter-tariffs toward affected workers and communities.
Singh has also called for stronger protections for Canadian auto manufacturing, proposing legal measures to prevent publicly funded auto companies from relocating plants or equipment outside Canada.
To address affordability, the NDP wants to raise the basic personal income tax exemption to $19,500 and remove GST from diapers, grocery store meals and essential household bills such as cellphones, internet and heating. Seniors would benefit from an increase in the guaranteed income supplement.
The party seeks to train 100,000 workers in skilled trades and improve infrastructure investments to create jobs and expand trade beyond reliance on the U.S.
In terms of defence policy, the NDP has pledged to cancel Canada’s F-35 fighter jet contracts and instead build military aircraft domestically. Singh also plans to strengthen Arctic defence, build marine search and research stations, increase soldiers’ salaries and invest in infrastructure for northern communities.
