When the US president imposed tariffs and began suggesting that Canada should consider becoming America’s 51st state, the center-left roared back to life.

Oh, Canada

For months, Canadian media and polls painted an inevitable picture: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was headed for a sweeping victory in the April 28 federal election. The Liberal brand had eroded so badly under Justin Trudeau that by March, he stepped down, ceding power to the largely unknown Mark Carney. At that point, polls gave Poilievre a towering 25-point lead over the Liberals.

And then Trump stepped in. When the US president imposed tariffs and began suggesting that Canada should consider becoming America’s 51st state, the center-left roared back to life. The result: a political upset that saw the Liberals retain control in a stunning reversal of expectations.

Mishpacha spoke with Anthony Koch, managing principal at Quebec-based AK Strategies and former national campaign spokesperson for Poilievre. He tells us what to watch in the aftermath of Canada’s election.

A Hard Left Turn. “Mr. Carney was a senior economic advisor to Justin Trudeau. He’s a major environmentalist — he doesn’t really like natural gas. You’re going to see a lot more of the 2030 agenda. The broader center-left progressive vision is one he subscribes to, and he will absolutely continue to push it forward.”

Trouble Ahead for Israel. “Mark Carney’s rhetoric on Israel has, at times, been even more left-leaning than Trudeau’s. At one protest, someone shouted about ‘genocide’ in Palestine, and Carney responded by highlighting Canada’s arms embargo. He’s condemned Israel for blocking food shipments into Gaza during the war, and overall he’s taken a stance that is noticeably more pro-Palestinian than pro-Israel.”

Poilievre Isn’t Going Anywhere — Yet. “Despite losing his own seat in Parliament, Poilievre’s leadership remains relatively secure. It was a bizarre election, shaped entirely by Trump. Still, the Conservatives earned the highest share of the popular vote since 1988. More Canadians voted for the party than ever before. The Liberals remain in a minority. So while nothing is set in stone, there’s little appetite to oust him — for now.”

Trump Should Learn to Zip It. “The Liberal Party was dead in the water. A Conservative government seemed inevitable. Then Trump started talking about annexing Canada — and everything changed. When he was quiet, our numbers soared. The second he opened his mouth about the 51st state, Liberal support spiked. Again.”

The Oracle Bows Out

After six decades at the helm of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett, widely regarded as the most successful investor in modern history, has announced his retirement. At 94, the so-called “Oracle of Omaha” confirmed that he will step down at the end of the year, passing the reins to vice chairman Greg Abel.

Under Buffett’s leadership, Berkshire didn’t just outperform the S&P 500 — it crushed it, generating a 19.9% compounded annual growth rate, compared to the index’s 10.4%. Put simply: a $100 investment in 1965 would be worth roughly $2.5 million today. It’s no wonder Buffett will be remembered as the quintessential American capitalist — and as one of the very few who wore the label with wisdom, wit, and restraint.

The Last Waltz

It was only a matter of time. President Donald Trump has removed his national security advisor, Mike Waltz, offering him what’s been called a “graceful exit” by nominating him as ambassador to the United Nations. For an administration that treats the UN with visible disdain, the posting hardly seems like a promotion.

Waltz’s fall came after a string of errors — chief among them, reportedly, the accidental invitation of Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg, a known Trump foe, to a highly sensitive Signal chat.

For now, the national security portfolio falls to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose influence inside MAGA-world continues to rise. But the guessing game has already begun over who will take the role next. One name circulating: Steve Witkoff, the property magnate turned diplomatic point man in the Gaza and Ukraine talks.

Democratic Heavyweights

The Russian government has announced that Chinese president Xi Jinping will pay an official visit to Russia on May 7–10, taking part in commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat.

The announcement, released on the social media platform Telegram, noted that Xi will hold a private meeting with President Vladimir Putin to discuss the deepening of the “strategic partnership” between their two nations. The Kremlin also indicated that the two leaders are expected to sign a series of bilateral agreements.

The Soviet Union suffered some 27 million military and civilian deaths during World War II, and May 9 remains one of the most sacred dates on the Russian calendar. So much so, in fact, that Moscow has proposed a three-day ceasefire to ensure the celebrations proceed uninterrupted.

Of course, nothing speaks more to humanity’s progress than a closed-door summit between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. Right?

Elon-Land

Elon Musk now has his own city. No, this isn’t satire. The patch of land in South Texas where SpaceX operates will henceforth be known, officially, as Starbase.

Local residents — most of whom happen to be SpaceX employees — voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal to incorporate the area as a municipality. The result was predictable. Musk, characteristically cryptic, announced the news via X (where else?): “Starbase, Texas, is now a real city!”

The civic architecture of Starbase is as streamlined as one of Musk’s rockets: a mayor and two commissioners will govern what is projected to be a population of about 500. The first mayor? Bobby Peden, a SpaceX vice president, who ran unopposed — just like the two incoming commissioners, both with ties to the company.

It’s all a bit surreal — Elon Musk, CEO turned city planner. Then again, maybe this is just a dry run for the Trump administration’s rumored ambitions in Greenland.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1060)