In the center of OTTAWA voting processingunder great flags of the Canadian provinces and a huge … national Flag, dozens of workers, organized in perfectly numbered rows, tell the votes cast in advance, hundreds of thousands. Each ballot passes from hand to hand in a millimeter and supervised system, in a maximum concentration environment, only broken by the buzzing of the classifying machines and the constant murmur of instructions.
The volume of ballots is such that, in the words of the electoral authorities, this will be one of the elections with the greatest participation in the history of Canada, if not the greatest. The scene, carefully controlled and protected behind metal and low bars strict security measuresreflects a mixture of industrial efficiency and democratic solemnity. Outside, throughout the country, the polls remain open, but here inside the count already advances at a frantic pace that will mark the beginning of a decisive electoral night.
The options on the ballots are innumerable – in districts like Carleton up to 91 candidates are presented – but the true battle for power is fought between two names: Mark Carney, prime minister in office for the leftist Liberal Party, and Stoneleader of the right, which just a few months ago seemed to end a decade of liberal domain under Justin Trudeau, but that has reached this key day deflated in the surveys.
What is clear is that the electorate is mobilized, driven by a Hello of renewed patriotismunusual in a country where courtesy and phlegm have always been signs of national identity.
In an Electoral College of the Carleton district – that of the 91 candidates – Michelle Anderson, a 43 -year -old primary teacher, says that he was not clear about his vote until the last days. Finally, it was decided by Bruce Fajoy, the liberal who represents the prime minister. “Mark has been firm in his criticism of Trump,” he explains, using the name of Carney, as Canadians usually do when referring to their politicians.
Patriotism is reborn, sponsored by Trump
Asked what this firmness consisted of, he responds without hesitation: «He said that the special relationship is over. And he is right. Anderson comments that more and more people know that, when they think about going on vacation, the United States no longer chooses, but Europe or any other destination. The data is right: the border crosses From Canada to the United States, it fell to its lowest level from the pandemic, with almost a million travelers less than the previous year.
In public acts and acts, speeches include constant references to the need for “Defend sovereignty” in front of external threats. Even in coffee shops and shops, t -shirts and posters are sold that celebrate the Canadian identity with a combative tone. For many voters like Michelle, this election was not only a matter of economy or internal policy, but a resounding statement that Canada is not for sale.
Trump, however, follows his. Although the surveys warned that their attacks were reactivating a left located in their ideological antipodes, the president returned to the same Monday with a confusing message on social networks, encouraging Canada to become the 51.º State of the United States. «Good luck to the great town of Canada. Choose the man who has strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, quadruple your businesses and eliminate borders, ”he wrote. It was not clear to which candidate he referred to, because none – even the most populists – has ever defended annexation to the United States. As almost always, the message seemed to rely on itself.
«Good luck to the great town of Canada. Choose the man who has strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, quadruple your businesses and eliminate borders »
Donald Trump
US President
In front of Parliament in Ottawa, Helen and Robert McMillan, two retirees of Alberta, 71 and 69, enjoy the day after voting in advance. They explain that they have opted for Pailievre. “We like what it represents,” says Helen. Both firmly oppose the confinement measures imposed during the pandemic, and see in Poilievre a defender of individual freedom.
They admit that at the time they admired Trump, but his opinion changed. «We liked it, until it started with these provocations. Now we can’t stand it, ”says Robert, with half a smile. They are especially bothering that Trump has ended up influencing the Canadian campaign. “The votes should move from what happens here,” says Helen, “for unemployment, for the cost of life, Not for what a guy says from Washington ».
At 10:30 in the morning, Pierre Poilievre deposited his vote at his electoral school, Carleton himself, accompanied by his wife, Anaida. As he approached the table, he could not avoid commenting out loud: “Look at the size of the ballot”, in reference to the unusual length of the document, almost half a meter. His district, Carleton, has been the target of a symbolic protest: dozens of independent candidates enrolled to inflate the size of the ballot and slow down the count. The drivers of this trick seek direct vote and an equal representation of the entire electorate.
Pailievre gets unmarked from Trump
After introducing his vote in the urn, Pailievre turned to the cameras and repeated his campaign slogan: “Go out to vote … for the change!” Before, he had been forced to publicly defend his country’s independence against the new provocations of Trump. In a message posted on social networks, the conservative leader wrote: “Canada will always be a proud, sovereign and independent country, and it will never be the number 51.”
It was a striking turn, because until now Pailievre had avoided mentioning Trump on his rallies, aware of the similarity of some of their political positions —As the rejection of the restrictions of the pandemic or the discourse against the elites, “and not to scare your most conservative base.”
But at this point, even the most cautious understand that Trump’s shadow has ended up marking the day, and that he has ended up giving wings to the left. In these elections, Canada reaffirms its sovereignty, and at the same time will decide if the tensions unleashed from the south definitively cross the border.
