Canadians headed to the polls on Monday to attend the most important elections of a generation as voters will determine who is best suited to manage the economy - U.S. President Trump.

Canadians are deciding whether to continue the Liberal Party’s power by choosing a new prime minister Mark Carney Or transfer control to the conservative and its populist leader Pierre Poilievre.

Mr. Trump Threat Canada attachment And his High tariffsWhat has damaged the country's economy has dominated the campaign and influenced voters' choices. Furthermore, domestic issues such as affordability, immigration, jobs and crime remain important factors.

According to the Canadian election, an estimated record number of 7.3 million Canadians voted early, an increase of 25% compared to the 2021 election.

A group of voters gathered in a school gymnasium in Milton, Ontario to vote on Monday. Despite their best dealing with Trump, they all agree that Canada’s sovereignty, tariffs and affordability are the main issues they consider when voting.

"Trump's decision affects not only Canada, but the rest of the world," a Liberal couple told CBS News outside the polling station. "Tariffs affect the market; it affects the prices of all goods, food, etc."

In Canadian media, conservative leader Poilievre is believed to have similarities with Mr. Trump, which could cost him damage.

"Unfortunately, Pierre came out with a few things that we disagree with us might be stupid, but the fact that he wanted to bring back the plastic bags and straw, I don't like the idea," the couple wanted to stay anonymous, told CBS News.

A voter named Peter said he considered the sovereignty issues related to the United States when he voted. Although he did not specify which party he believes best addressed concerns about Mr. Trump and protecting Canadian sovereignty, he mentioned that a national attitude would be the most effective way to deal with the U.S. president.

John Ivsky, a self-employed businessman from Milton, said he believes the election is crucial, stressing that tariffs are important, and Canada should seek more global partners.

“Canada needs to build its own economic and broader partnership,” Ivsky told CBS News. “The United States should not be the only economic, military or political partner. We need partners around the world, so we are not suffering from political change in one country.”

He added: "I respect and vote for every party that can support family values, conservative values, freedom of speech, and I vote for people who can reflect my beliefs, whether liberal or conservative. At this point, conservatives are the people who can do that."

On Monday, Mr. Trump once again injected himself into the campaign. In posts about the Truth Society, he repeated the idea of ​​making Canada the 51st state in the United States and called on Canadian voters to vote for those who could make their wishes possible without naming political parties.

“Good luck to the great people of Canada. Election of a person with strength and wisdom, cut your taxes in half, free your military power, bring your automobiles, steel, aluminum, wood, energy and all other businesses, zero stocks and all other businesses, sizes, zero taxes or taxes, if Canada becomes a statistic for the 51th National Statistics, which is certainly zero, then in the world, owning your automobiles, steel, aluminum, wood, energy and all other businesses, zero taxes.

In response to Mr. Trump's comments, Poilievre said Canada will never be the 51st state and urged the U.S. president to stay away from the Canadian election.

"President Trump avoids our elections. The only person who decides the future of Canada is Canadians in the ballot box," Poilievre said on social media. "Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent, and we will never be the 51st state. Today, Canadians can vote for change so that we can strengthen our country, stand on our own feet, and stand out from their strength."

Carney begged voters to take on a powerful task of dealing with Trump during the campaign.

"President Trump has some obsessed ideas," Carney said of his annexation threat. "It's not a joke. It's his very strong desire to achieve this. It's one of the reasons why this crisis is so serious."