Canadian election campaign limits government as more tariffs loom

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, on the second day of his Liberal Party election campaign tour, speaks in front of a mural at the Gander International Lounge in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada March 24, 2025. REUTERS/Blair Gable

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to call for a snap election for April 28 could curtail his ability to respond forcefully if the United States carries out a threat to impose additional tariffs.

Now that campaigning has started, the government is bound by a so-called caretaker convention, which means it can engage in routine business but should avoid major policy decisions.