Liberal minister suggests US-Canada trade war could delay next federal election

Liberal leadership candidate MP Karina Gould has suggested that Canada’s next federal election could be delayed if a trade war with the United States escalates.

"If we are in a full-blown tariff war with the US, that might be a reason not to go to the polls," Gould told reporters in Fredericton on Thursday.

The Liberal Party is set to elect a new leader on March 9, with former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney seen as a frontrunner. Parliament is scheduled to resume on March 24, while the next federal election is currently set for October 20, 2025, under Canada’s fixed-election laws.

"I think we need to see where we are on March 9," Gould said. "I think we need to understand what the situation with the United States is. If we are in a full-blown tariff war with the US, that might be a reason not to go to the polls, but we are also in a minority government, and so it's actually not just up to the government at the time."

She said that delaying an election would require cooperation from opposition parties. "There would have to be an agreement with the opposition parties if we were to do that, but I think whatever decision we take has to be one that is responsible for Canadians," she said.

Carney, a key contender in the leadership race, has also drawn attention for his stance on emergency powers in a trade conflict.

"[Something] my government is going to do is use all of the powers of the federal government, including the emergency powers of the federal government, to accelerate the major projects that we need in order to build this economy and take on the Americans," Carney said at a campaign event.

His comments have sparked controversy with some critics speculating that emergency powers could be used to influence the political landscape or delay the election.

Under Section 4(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Parliament cannot extend beyond five years from the date of the last general election. However, Section 4(2) allows an extension in cases of "real or apprehended war, invasion, or insurrection."