With a federal election looming in Canada, potentially just days away, political parties are racing to finalize their candidate slates for the 343 ridings.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party is lagging significantly behind its competitors, raising eyebrows among political analysts as the writ could drop by the end of the week in the Canada Elections.
Here’s a deep dive into the latest nomination numbers, expert insights, and what this means for the upcoming election.
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Canada Elections : Liberals Falling Behind in Election Prep
As of March 19, 2025, the Liberal Party has nominated only 185 candidates out of the 343 federal ridings, placing them well behind their rivals.
The Conservative Party leads with 275 candidates, followed by the NDP with 217, and the Green Party with 208.
The Bloc Québécois, which competes solely in Quebec’s 78 ridings, has 42 candidates announced, with 11 officially confirmed and plans to field a full slate soon.
This gap in nominations comes at a pivotal moment. Prime Minister Mark Carney, sworn in just days ago on March 14, 2025, after a landslide Liberal leadership win, is expected to call an early election imminently.
Despite a recent surge in Liberal polling numbers—fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic threats against Canada and Justin Trudeau’s high-profile exit from politics—the party’s slow nomination process could signal vulnerabilities.
Why Are the Liberals Lagging?
Political experts point to the Liberals’ recent leadership transition as a key factor.
“The Liberals just wrapped up a contentious leadership race,” said Cristine De Clercy, a political science professor at Trent University.
“Before Carney took over, many MPs were frustrated with Trudeau, and some even hinted at stepping away. That uncertainty made it tough to lock in candidates.”
The leadership shift also flipped the script for some incumbents.
Industry Minister Anita Anand and Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long, for instance, had initially planned to bow out but reversed their decisions as Carney’s victory became clear.
De Clercy noted, “Carney’s arrival and the Liberals’ polling rebound might be convincing potential candidates to jump on board now.”
Still, Melanee Thomas, a University of Calgary political science professor and former NDP candidate, finds the Liberals’ 185 nominees “shockingly low” this close to an election.
“They’re at barely half the candidates they need. That number has to climb fast before the writ drops,” she warned.
Conservatives Lead, NDP and Greens Hold Steady
The Conservative Party, with 275 candidates as of last week, is the frontrunner in nomination readiness.
“They’ve been pushing for an election for months,” Thomas said.
“It’s no surprise they’re ahead—they’ve had their machinery in motion.”
De Clercy echoed this, calling the Conservatives “clearly on the ball.”
The NDP, under Jagmeet Singh, has 217 candidates lined up as of Tuesday, up from 201 at the start of the 2021 campaign.
Anne McGrath, Singh’s principal secretary, emphasized the party’s preparedness: “We’re set to have a candidate in every riding from coast to coast to coast.”
The NDP’s focus on diversity and gender quotas, mandated by its constitution, may slow its process slightly but ensures a broad slate.
The Green Party, with 208 nominees, is also keeping pace, while the Bloc Québécois is steadily filling its Quebec roster.
Of its 33 current MPs, 29 plan to run again, supplemented by 16 new announced candidates.
Risks of Rushing Nominations
With time running out, all parties face the challenge of vetting candidates quickly—a process that can backfire.
“Rushing leaves parties open to gaffes,” Thomas cautioned.
“A poorly screened candidate’s old social media posts, even from their teenage years, can derail a campaign.”
De Clercy agreed, noting that hasty nominations “make parties and candidates vulnerable to surprises that could dominate headlines.”
This risk is especially acute for the Liberals, who need nearly 160 more candidates to complete their slate.
The pressure to fill spots could lead to oversights, particularly as Carney aims to project stability amid external threats from the U.S.
Carney’s Snap Election Gamble
Carney, an unelected prime minister with no seat in the House of Commons, took office amid a prorogued Parliament (set to resume March 24, 2025).
His rapid rise follows Trudeau’s departure and a Liberal polling boost tied to Trump’s aggressive rhetoric on Canada’s economy and sovereignty.
Many senior Liberals argue that an election now could secure Carney a strong mandate to lead.
“The prime minister is committed to the electoral process,” Industry Minister Anand told CBC’s Power and Politics on Monday.
“We’d love to see him in the House with us as Canada’s leader.”
However, opposition parties, including the Conservatives and NDP, have vowed to topple the government with a non-confidence motion if Parliament reconvenes before an election.
This standoff suggests Carney has little choice but to call a vote soon—perhaps by week’s end—making the Liberals’ nomination lag even more pressing.
What’s Next for Canada’s Election?
With no party yet at a full 343-candidate slate, the race is on to finalize preparations.
The Conservatives’ lead gives them an edge, but the Liberals’ recent momentum could shift the narrative if they close the gap.
The NDP and Greens, meanwhile, are poised to capitalize on any stumbles, while the Bloc focuses on solidifying its Quebec stronghold.
For Carney, the stakes are high.
A snap election could cement his leadership—or expose the Liberals’ disarray.
As Thomas put it, “The clock’s ticking. They’ve got to get those numbers up, or they’re starting this race on the back foot.”
Stay tuned with CTC News.
