PM Mark Carney calls for federal election, to vote on April 28

Prime Minister Mark Carney called a federal election Sunday afternoon, with voters to cast their ballots on April 28.

The election will decide the country’s next prime minister.

The announcement follows after Carney requested Governor-General Mary Simon to dissolve parliament, just weeks after the polls closed on a provincial election.

Carney also announced a middle-class tax cut intending to save two-income families up to $825 a year, by reducing the marginal tax rate on the lowest tax bracket by one percentage point.

Political leaders begin their five-week campaign

Carney says he is asking for a strong mandate from Canadians to lead Canada successfully through the battle against President Donald Trump’s trade war and threats of annexation.

He will be heading to Atlantic Canada for his first official campaign stop with a rally planned for St. John’s Sunday night.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh warns that his chief rivals in the election campaign will work for rich and powerful people, and ignore the pressing needs of average Canadians.

Launching his campaign in Ottawa before heading to Montreal for a rally, Singh vowed to “fight like hell” for the best interests of all Canadians.

He says voters don’t need to choose between Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

Poilievre kicked off his campaign in Gatineau, Que. Sunday morning, and is expected to travel to Toronto for an evening rally with supporters.

Green Party Co-leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault began their campaign in Montreal Sunday morning.

With files from The Canadian Press.