The battleground lines of the next federal election are in the process of being drawn up and to say that the territory is looking unfamiliar would be an understatement. Elections are local by nature, but this time around, federal leaders are turning their attention to the international stage to deliver the crux of their arguments focused on future proofing the Canadian defence and security landscape.
Trade tensions with the United States may have underpinned much of the policy direction for the last year, but they have also managed to lay the groundwork for the movements of Prime Minister Mark Carney. Since last March, Carney has traversed the globe and made 15 trips to 21 countries. According to Global News, he has spent one out of every five days since taking office out of the country.
From Indonesia to Qatar, press releases and photo ops have signalled that it is a new era for trade and investment as Canada attempts to deliver more than just talking points on the need for diversified trade. And while many of the memoranda of understanding and strategic partnerships will take months, if not years, to bear fruit, the polls show the efforts of the Carney government starting to pay off in ways not typically seen for a government exiting the honeymoon phase. Not only has Carney enjoyed a bump in the polls, but he has also managed to set the agenda that his opponents are now chasing.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will make his own way overseas later this week, fresh off an appearance in Toronto where he laid out a framework for how a Conservative government would approach Canada-U.S. relations. Poilievre highlighted new policy commitments, including a new Canadian strategic energy and mineral reserve, as well as a new tariff-free auto pact that would increase Canada’s economic and strategic resilience.
This serves as a renewed attempt by the Conservatives to counter Liberal dominance on trade related issues. With his leadership now in the rearview window, Poilievre has his sights focused squarely on the next election and neutralizing perceived weaknesses in the minds of swing voters.
While Carney and Poilievre both attempt to forge new relationships with decision makers whose interests align with their respective policy goals, it begs the question of how this message will translate here at home when domestic issues continue to remain top of mind for Canadians. Pocketbook issues aren’t going away anytime soon, and while existential issues preoccupy the minds of party leaders, it would be a mistake to lose sight of the uncertainty that is overwhelming many Canadians.
Preparing the Canadian economy for a new world order is without a doubt the issue du jour, but politicians cannot lose sight of the constituents they are elected to represent. While the moment may demand solutions for the future, the factory floor and the grocery store still play prominent roles in the day-to-day scheme of things.
Delivering short term solutions for economic pain is still very much on the minds of voters, and political leaders face the tall task of selling a dual mandate of demonstrating tangible impact that Canadians feel in their own lives, while criss-crossing the globe in search of market access.
Josie Sabatino is a Senior Consultant at Summa Strategies, focused on providing strategic insight and helping clients meet their objectives in an ever changing and complex political and regulatory environment. Prior to joining Summa, Josie spent nearly a decade in political communications and most recently served as the Director of Communications to the Hon. Erin O’Toole, former Leader of the Official Opposition.
