The Americas| Just one big question
The strange revival of Liberal Canada
Mark Carney hopes strong stance against Donald Trump will give his party electoral victory
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney
Photograph: Reuters
The dilemma facing Canada’s Conservative Party can be summed up in its campaign slogan: “Canada first. For a change.” Just three months ago the party enjoyed its best opinion-poll rating since 1988. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s emphasis on housing and promise to reverse a decade of Liberal failure under Justin Trudeau, who was prime minister until earlier this month, gave him a double-digit lead. But Mr Trudeau’s departure from politics and President Donald Trump’s vow to wage “economic war” against its neighbour have made “Canada first” an uncomfortable echo of Mr Trump’s slogan.