NDP tells candidates to prepare for an early election, according to internal memo

New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh speaks with reporters in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The NDP is urging its candidates to be ready and prepare for a federal election “as early as March 10” – one day after the Liberals pick its next leader – according to an internal memo obtained by CTV News.

The party’s national campaign director Jennifer Howard sent the memo to candidates and campaign staff on Wednesday, saying candidates in 140 of Canada’s 338 ridings have been nominated so far.

“It is becoming more and more likely that Mark Carney will be the next Liberal leader on March 9th,” the memo reads. “If Mark Carney does win the leadership, we are hearing from many Ottawa sources that he intends on calling an election shortly after becoming Liberal leader.”

The general election is currently scheduled for October.

When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced last month that he would be resigning once the Liberals selected his successor, he also prorogued Parliament until March 24. Opposition parties have vowed to bring down the Liberal minority government at the earliest opportunity once the House of Commons returns. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have also said Parliament must return so the federal government can pass new legislation to address U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threat.

The NDP memo emphasized that call, saying “Donald Trump’s continued threats to our sovereignty and to Canadian workers need a strong, united and immediate response. Nonetheless, Parliament stands prorogued, and no Liberal leadership candidate - including Mr. Carney - has reached out to any Opposition leaders to discuss emergency legislation coming to Parliament to deal with Donald Trump’s trade war and the impact on Canadians.”

“On that basis, we believe the rumours of Mr. Carney calling a snap election are credible,” the memo goes on to say.

Speaking to reporters at a housing announcement in Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, Carney was asked about the possibility of an early election as Canada faces Trump’s tariff threat.

“Let’s see what the situation is in the middle of March and do what is best for Canadians, and the government will do what’s best for Canadians,” Carney said. “If Parliament needs to be recalled for certain reasons, it will be. If it makes sense to get a strong mandate at that point, that is what will follow.”

Carney also reiterated his intention to run as an MP in the next general election, regardless of the outcome of the leadership race.

“I will run in the next election, irrespective, just to be absolutely clear, irrespective of the outcome of the leadership election. I would hope to win that seat,” Carney said. “So irrespective of what happens in the general election, I will serve my entire term as an MP.”

Carney, who is the former Bank of Canada governor, is running to replace Trudeau as Liberal leader and prime minister. Former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, former government House Leader Karina Gould and former Liberal MPs Frank Baylis and Ruby Dhalla are also contending for the top job.

The latest polling from Nanos Research shows the federal Conservatives’ more than 20 point lead over the Liberals – which has been the trend for over a year – has narrowed. According to Nanos, the Conservatives have 38 per cent of federal voting intention with the Liberals at 30 per cent – just an eight point difference. The NDP sits at over 16 per cent.

Meanwhile, a separate Nanos poll released last week shows more Canadians believe Carney would do the best job at negotiating with Trump over Poilievre and other Liberal leadership contenders.

When asked “Which of the following politicians would do the best job at negotiating with U.S. president Donald Trump?”, two out of five, or 40 per cent of respondents, answered Carney. Poilievre received the second most support with 26 per cent of people surveyed saying he would do the best job.

The leaders of other political parties were not listed as options in that survey, which looked to gauge where Canadians stand on various topics related to trade negotiations with the United State, as well as their stance on tariffs and Canada’s response.

With files from CTV News’ Jeremie Charron