After announcement in P.E.I., Carney makes a stop in a Nova Scotia riding

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

The Liberal leader is touring some of the Maritime provinces on Monday afternoon, just a week before election day across the nation.

It’s a make-or-break time in the campaign as eligible voters are set to cast their ballots on April 28, deciding the country’s next leader in a moment when Canada has been under fire from its once closest ally and the turmoil that has brought.

One expert says Mark Carney just needs to stay the course, after both federal debates and a lead in the polls over Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Some ridings are up in the air in Atlantic Canada, making the provinces along the east coast an important battleground for the Liberals.

After making a stop in Charlottetown to speak about heath care professionals working in the United States, Carney pivoted to the Nova Scotia riding of Cumberland—Colchester, where Liberal candidate Alana Hirtle is going up against Conservative candidate Stephen Ellis, who took the riding back for the Tories in 2021.

On April 21, the Liberals and Conservatives are neck-and-neck in the riding, according to 338Canada.

At a campaign stop to rally supporters in Upper Onslow, N.S. Carney spoke about the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration.

More on the election:

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“They want our land, they want our resources and they want our country…The answer is never ever, ever, ever,” Carney said.

The leader mentioned there are three things the government is doing in response to the trade war, including fighting back with tariffs, protecting workers in the most affected industries and building, specifically with Nova Scotia lumber.

“In this trade war, just like in hockey, we will win. We will beat the Americans,” Carney said.

He also mentioned how the riding “is a tight-knit community that has been through triumph and tragedy.” Mentioning the 2020 mass shooting that took place in Portapique, just 40 kilometres away.

Earlier in the day, the Liberals made a promise in P.E.I. to reduce tolls on the Confederation Bridge and make transportation in Atlantic Canada more affordable. Carney promised that if elected, his government would lower tolls from $50 to $20 and decrease costs for passengers on Northumberland Ferries.

Carney is expected to make other campaign stops in Truro and Fredericton, N.B. today.