We’re going to the polls—again.
On Sunday, March 23rd, Prime Minister Mark Carney requested—and was granted—the dissolution of Parliament by the Governor General, officially launching a federal election and shifting the government into caretaker mode amid escalating Trump-era tariffs. Canadians will vote on April 28th.
This election comes on the heels of a political whirlwind. After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down on January 6th, Mark Carney secured the Liberal leadership on March 9th. Since then, the Liberals have experienced a dramatic resurgence in the polls. Hoping to ride this momentum—and to blunt the Conservative Party’s formidable fundraising advantage—the Liberals called a snap election before Parliament could reconvene and potentially trigger a vote of no confidence.
How Real Is the Liberal Lead?
Very real—for now.
Current projections give the Liberals a 62% chance of forming a majority government if the election were held today. Still, polling should be taken with caution. Recent U.S. experience offers a sobering reminder: Vice President Kamala Harris polled neck-and-neck with Donald Trump until her unexpected landslide loss in the 2024 presidential election.
Canada’s context, however, is different. The Trump tariffs have triggered a rally-around-the-flag effect, with Canadians uniting under the mantra “elbows up“—a sentiment that clashes with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s message that Canada is broken. In response, Poilievre has pivoted to a more nationalistic “Canada First” tone.
History also favors the Liberals. Of Canada’s 44 general elections, the Liberals have won 25; the Conservatives/Progressive Conservatives, 19. Electoral success hinges on the 905 region—including Brampton—where electoral results often determine who forms government. When Brampton votes Liberal, the Liberals tend to win nationally. When Brampton leans Conservative, the Conservatives often prevail.
Brampton voters tend to be pragmatic over ideological—unlike voters in, say, Toronto or Alberta, who more consistently vote Liberal or Conservative, respectively, with few exceptions. Even when Stephen Harper first won in 2006 under the recently amalgamated Conservative Party of Canada banner, he benefited from the endorsement of Bill Davis, a beloved Red Tory and former Premier of Ontario from Brampton, during his campaign in the region.
That said, while Liberal support is strong, commitment to vote remains softer than among Conservative voters. This means Brampton’s electorate could still shift, making engagement crucial.
What Issues Matter Most to Brampton?
At the Brampton Board of Trade, we’re focused on four key priorities heading into this election:
1. Robust Investment in Public Transit
We’re encouraged by the federal government’s recent commitment to funding the Hurontario-Main LRT extension into Downtown Brampton. However, the funding is set to be delivered through the Canada Public Transit Fund, which doesn’t disburse funds until 2026. This delay makes the project vulnerable to cancellation or defunding if a different government changes course.
We are calling on all candidates to commit to protecting and expediting this vital infrastructure project, regardless of the election outcome.
2. Affordable Housing
We commend Mr. Poilievre’s proposal to remove the GST on homes priced under $1.3 million. Taxes are major cost drivers for housing. Municipal housing taxes alone account for over 25% of building costs.
We recommend federal incentives for municipalities to waive or reduce these taxes to help increase supply. Additionally, discourse has primarily been focused on market housing. We urge all parties to expand support for co-operative and non-market housing options to address the full spectrum of need.
3. Clarity and Consistency on Immigration
Recent changes by IRCC—such as reduced international student quotas and revisions to post-graduate work permits—have caused upheaval in the postsecondary sector, a pillar of our local economy.
Beyond that, Brampton employers face ongoing challenges filling critical labour shortages. Many of the workers who help fill these gaps are on temporary visas and now face uncertain futures.
We want to see:
- More intentional skills matching between immigrants and labour market gaps
- Meaningful progress on foreign credential recognition, much like the strides made recently on interprovincial trade. Both issues have plagued our economy long enough and this election is an opportunity to rectify this.
4. Tariffs and Trade
We surveyed members across sectors and sizes—from manufacturing to retail— and there is concern over the uncertainty and impact of U.S. tariffs. Businesses are already reacting by reducing overtime, scaling back shifts, and pausing investments. Some cross-border companies are even experiencing increased business as a result of stockpiling in advance of the April 2nd deadline.
We believe:
- Canada must accelerate a review of CUSMA.
- The government should provide targeted support, especially to small and mid-sized businesses, who are experiencing hardship as a result of tariff uncertainty.
With Brampton’s diverse, internationally connected business base, our city is uniquely positioned to lead trade diversification efforts. Our message: Built in Brampton should mean bought around the world.
Election Day: What You Need to Know
Brampton now has six federal ridings. Election Day is Monday, April 28, 2025, but advance voting will be held on:
- Friday, April 18
- Saturday, April 19
- Sunday, April 20
- Monday, April 21
Find your riding and voting location at: elections.ca
The Brampton Board of Trade will again host local debates with candidates in each riding. Stay tuned for details and make your voice—and your vote—count.
