Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called a snap election for 28 April

The former Bank of England Governor says he needs a clear mandate to deal with Donald Trump, saying the US president "wants to break us so America will own us"

Earlier, the Conservative Party's Pierre Poilievre laid out his own campaign pitch - saying he would approach the US as a "respectful and firm and strong" leader

It comes amid a souring relationship with the US as Trump wages a trade war against Canada, he has also said he wants Canada to become the 51st US state

Carney, leader of the Liberal Party, will face competition from Conservatives' leader Pierre Poilievre, Jagmeet Singh - leader of the New Democratic Party, and Yves-François Blanchet - leader of the Bloc Québécois