- Carney and Poilievre are now tied 50-50 in Polymarket’s $12 million betting pool.
- Poilievre backs Bitcoin, while Carney prefers state-backed digital currencies.
Canada’s next prime minister could be a staunch Bitcoin supporter — or someone who favours government-backed digital currencies.
The race between Liberal Party leader Mark Carney and Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has tightened to a dead heat in the betting market.
At the start of 2025, Poilievre was the clear favourite, with an 88% chance of winning compared to Carney’s 12%.
But now, both candidates are at an even 50-50 split on Polymarket, where nearly $12 million has been wagered.
Poilievre, a long-time Bitcoin advocate, has built his campaign around fiscal conservatism and opposition to central bank digital currencies.
He has invested in Bitcoin exchange-traded funds and framed the cryptocurrency as a hedge against inflation, calling government money printing an “immoral tax.”
His pro-Bitcoin stance has drawn comparisons to US President Donald Trump, who pivoted from crypto scepticism to full support ahead of his own re-election bid.
Carney, on the other hand, has been a sceptic of Bitcoin, dismissing it as a poor store of value.
As a former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor, he has instead backed the development of CBDCs, arguing they offer a more stable and government-controlled alternative to private digital assets.
He has remained relatively silent on crypto in recent years, but his past remarks suggest little room for compromise with the industry.
The election stakes have also escalated amid economic turmoil and trade tensions.
Trump’s tariff threats and a controversial remark about Canada becoming the US’s 51st state have complicated the race further.
With a general election expected in the coming months, Carney’s tenure as prime minister — following Justin Trudeau’s recent resignation — could be brief if Poilievre’s popularity rebounds.
Kyle Baird is DL News’ Weekend Editor. Got a tip? Email at kbaird@dlnews.com.
