In a contentious televised debate, Canada's party leaders confronted challenges posed by U.S. President Trump and discussed key issues such as housing and climate. The debate marks a crucial moment in Canada's election campaign as candidates prepare for the April 28 vote.
Canadian Party Leaders Face Off in High-Stakes Election Debate
Canadian Party Leaders Face Off in High-Stakes Election Debate
Leaders of Canada's major parties clash over U.S. relations, housing, and climate in their first debate ahead of April elections.
In Montreal, the leaders of Canada’s four main federal parties engaged in a heated debate that showcased their approaches to managing relationships with the United States, particularly under President Trump. The first of two debates leading up to the April 28 elections was also an opportunity to address pressing national issues, including housing and climate policy.
The face-off is especially significant as the leaders aimed to attract voters from Quebec, a province critical for electoral success. Liberal leader Mark Carney, currently leading in the polls, faced challenges articulating his views in French, which is considered his weakest language, creating moments of uncertainty during the exchanges.
Joining Carney on stage were Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet, and New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh. The debate, moderated by Radio-Canada journalist Patrice Roy, began with a focus on how U.S. tariffs and trade tensions affect Canada, which Roy labeled as the "elephant in the room."
Trump's administration has imposed significant tariffs on Canadian goods, affecting industries such as steel and aluminum, and sparking concerns over economic vulnerabilities. Poilievre criticized the Liberals for compromising the country’s economic strength over the past decade. In response, Carney highlighted his extensive banking experience and asserted that Trump respects those with knowledge of global economics.
Singh attempted to differentiate the NDP's vision by criticizing both Poilievre and Carney for favoring policies that benefit wealthier individuals, which he argued would further threaten Canadian jobs vulnerable to U.S. tariffs.
While the debate focused largely on Trump's influence, it also veered into discussions on housing. Poilievre committed to reducing taxes and bureaucracy to facilitate home construction, while both he and Carney found consensus on increasing oil and gas production as a path forward for Canada's economy. Carney stressed his commitment to eco-friendly energy practices but emphasized the need to balance economic growth.
Questions about immigration policy also arose, with leaders agreeing on the importance of integrating newcomers into Canadian society amidst a surge in asylum seekers at the Quebec-U.S. border due to the Trump administration's strict immigration stances.
Significantly, the Green Party was absent from the debate, having been disqualified for not meeting specific endorsement criteria set by the debate commission, a decision co-leader Jonathan Pedneault condemned as unjust.
Adjustments were made to the debate schedule to avoid conflicts with major sporting events, highlighting the competitive nature of both politics and entertainment in Canada as the leaders prepare for another English-language debate ahead of the election.
