Welcome to National Post’s campaign Power Meter, where we will track the shifting tides of the election. As the race unfolds, we’ll rank parties, candidates and other characters based on momentum, performance, and public perception. Who’s gaining ground? Who’s losing steam? Keep checking in as we measure the moments that could shape the outcome.

PROVINCIAL PREMIERS: The biggest influence on the federal election campaign so far? Provincial premiers. Two conservative premiers caused headaches for Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he was shifting into campaign. First, a media report revealed that, after an awkward phone call, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he wasn’t keen to help out Poilievre in his quest to be prime minister. Both men denied the story, but Ford later said his MLAs will be too swamped to campaign for their federal cousins. Then, an interview that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith gave to a right-wing outlet in the U.S. made headlines because Smith said she had encouraged the Trump administration to pause the tariffs talk because it’s benefitting the Liberals.
POWER METER RATING: HIGHLY COMBUSTIBLE