As Canada gears up for its 2025 federal election, an unexpected figure looms large over the campaign trail—former U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite being out of office, Trump’s polarizing presence continues to shape political discourse far beyond American borders. In Canada, where leaders like Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre are vying for voter attention, Trump’s shadow is inescapable. As one strategist quipped, “Trump sucks up all the oxygen here,” highlighting how the American political circus is drowning out domestic policy debates.

The Trump Effect: A Distraction or a Strategy?

In a race where affordability, healthcare, and climate change should dominate, Trump’s latest controversies—whether legal battles, inflammatory remarks, or his potential 2024 comeback bid—keep hijacking headlines. Both Carney, the former Bank of Canada governor running as a centrist, and Poilievre, the Conservative firebrand, find themselves reacting to Trump’s antics rather than setting their own narratives.

Poilievre, who has often mirrored Trump’s populist rhetoric, walks a fine line. While his base admires Trump’s anti-establishment bravado, many Canadians recoil at the comparison. Meanwhile, Carney, positioning himself as the steady, experienced alternative, warns against “importing American-style chaos.” Yet, even he can’t escape questions about Trump’s influence on global politics.

Media Frenzy: Trump Steals the Spotlight

Canadian media, much like its U.S. counterparts, thrives on Trump’s drama. His tweets (now Truth Social posts), court appearances, and campaign rallies generate more clicks than Poilievre’s housing policy or Carney’s economic plans. This obsession leaves little room for substantive Canadian issues, frustrating voters who want a focus on local concerns.

One Liberal strategist lamented, “It’s exhausting. We’re trying to talk about childcare and clean energy, but every other question is about what Trump just said.” Even Poilievre, who once eagerly aligned himself with Trumpian tactics, now tries to pivot—aware that overt association could alienate moderate voters.

Poilievre’s Trumpian Playbook—Does It Work in Canada?

Poilievre’s rise in Canadian politics has drawn comparisons to Trump: anti-media tirades, grievance politics, and a knack for viral soundbites. His attacks on “elites” and the “Liberal media” echo Trump’s playbook, resonating with a conservative base hungry for disruption.

However, Canada’s political landscape differs sharply from America’s. While Trump’s bombast thrives in a two-party, highly polarized system, Canada’s multi-party democracy rewards compromise. Poilievre’s challenge is balancing his populist appeal with the need to appear prime ministerial. If he leans too heavily into Trump-style rhetoric, he risks turning off swing voters in key battlegrounds like Ontario and Quebec.

Carney’s Counter: Stability Over Spectacle

Mark Carney, in contrast, presents himself as the antidote to Trumpian chaos. With a resume boasting leadership at the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, he embodies the technocratic stability many Canadians crave after years of global upheaval. His message? “Canada doesn’t need American-style division.”

Yet, Carney struggles with charisma. In an era where politics is as much about personality as policy, his measured tone risks being drowned out by Poilievre’s combative style—or worse, by Trump’s media dominance.

Voter Fatigue: Will Canadians Tune Out?

The bigger question is whether voters will grow weary of Trump’s shadow over their election. Many Canadians pride themselves on a more subdued political culture, yet the gravitational pull of U.S. politics is undeniable.

If Trump’s presence continues to overshadow the campaign, it could lead to voter apathy—or worse, a reactionary shift. Some may rally behind Poilievre’s anti-establishment pitch, while others might seek refuge in Carney’s promise of normalcy.

Conclusion: Can Canada Break Free?

As the 2025 election heats up, Canadian leaders face an uphill battle: how to reclaim the narrative from a former U.S. president who isn’t even on the ballot. Whether Trump’s influence helps or hurts will depend on how Carney and Poilievre navigate his shadow.

One thing is clear—until Trump exits the political stage (if ever), his ability to “suck up oxygen” will remain a challenge for democracies far beyond the United States. For Canada, the 2025 election may hinge on which leader can finally turn the spotlight back home.