Carney, who recently succeeded Liberal Justin Trudeau as prime minister, has called snap elections for April 28, in what is seen as a major test of how far attitudes have changed toward the previously clear favorite, Poilievre, who has been compared ideologically to President Donald Trump.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters on the final weekend before national elections that he takes seriously the president's stated desire to turn the country into a US state. He said "Take what the president says literally.