In the shadow of Donald Trump’s goading, Canadians are casting ballots in a general election. US tariffs and talk of making the world’s second largest nation by size the 51st state are helping flip the momentum from the opposition conservatives to Liberals that suffered from incumbent fatigue after a decade in power – that is until 99 days ago.

Starting on Inauguration Day, Trump’s belligerent tone stunned his neighbours to the north. We asked about former central banker Mark Carney who stepped in and called the snap vote after unpopular predecessor Justin Trudeau bowed out. What’s the plan for a nation unsure about the lasting damage across the world’s longest unprotected border?

And what to make of rival Pierre Poilievre, who hails from the right wing of the Conservative Party? The MP from Ontario was actually born in Alberta, the oil-rich western province often depicted as Canada’s answer to Texas and the most sympathetic to Trump. Is Canada polarising the way the US has?

In Canada, whose head of state remains Britain’s monarch, the fault line in politics has long been between English speakers and the sovereigntist of French-speaking Québec. What’s changed?

Produced by Rebecca Gnignati, Ilayda Habib and Aurore Laborie.