BBC News, Toronto
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On Monday, candidates competing to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada faced off for the first time in a French-language debate.
The stage was graced by four candidates: Mark Carney, former governor of the banks of Canada and England; Chrystia Freeland, former Finance Minister; Karina Gould, the Liberal government’s House leader; and Frank Baylis, businessman and former MP.
Discussions during the initial half of the debate were dominated by the topic of how to approach Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada and labeled it the “51st state.”
The candidates also tackled questions surrounding domestic issues such as immigration, healthcare, and the rising cost of living.
Freeland, who resigned as finance minister last December which led to Trudeau’s leadership fall, remarked early in the debate that she considers Trump “the greatest threat to Canada since World War Two.”
She frequently referenced her governmental experience, noting her successful negotiations with Trump during his first term to update North America’s longstanding free-trade agreement.
However, Freeland cautioned that a second Trump term might pose even greater risks for Canada.
“He aims to make Canada the 51st state, and it’s serious,” she stated. “That is why he endorses [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s harmful efforts to alter Ukraine’s borders.”
“Trump seeks to adjust our borders too,” she continued.
In response to these threats, Freeland and the other candidates proposed strengthening trade relations with the EU and the UK.
Baylis suggested establishing a “new economic bloc” involving Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia, highlighting that these nations share similar values, cultures, and governance structures.
Carney, who is leading in polls, emphasized his objective of guiding Canada towards economic success by utilizing its resources, including critical minerals and metals, aiming to position Canada as a “clean energy superpower” while eliminating trade hurdles among provinces.
He also aligned with Freeland’s perspective that Trump’s forthcoming term presents different challenges compared to the first.
“He is increasingly isolationist. He has become more confrontational,” Carney noted. “In the past, he desired our markets. Now, he covets our nation.”
He further mentioned that he would support enforcing equivalent tariffs on US goods if Trump follows through with his plan to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products starting 4 March.
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Gould, the youngest candidate among the participants, framed herself as the representative “for today and the future,” concentrating on how a Liberal Party under her guidance would strive to make life more affordable for Canadians.
The candidates also addressed the evolving US stance on Ukraine. While the debate unfolded, Trudeau was in Kyiv commemorating three years since the inception of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
All candidates unanimously agreed on the need for Canada to continue its support for Ukraine. Freeland proposed reallocating funds seized from Russia via sanctions to aid Ukraine’s wartime efforts, while Carney articulated that any discourse on Ukraine’s future must involve Ukrainians.
Freeland also indicated that Canada should cultivate closer relationships with Denmark, which is facing similar threats from Trump, who has shown interest in acquiring Greenland – a territory belonging to Denmark.
In the latter half of the debate, candidates proposed strategies for addressing Canada’s federal budget deficit, reducing crime rates, and enhancing military expenditures.
They were queried regarding measures for tackling climate change, with Freeland and Carney both stating their opposition to a carbon tax on consumers, which was a significant climate initiative under Trudeau’s administration that has faced backlash from Canadians.
At various junctions during the debate, the candidates took jabs at Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, claiming he would be unsuitable to safeguard Canada from Trump.
Currently leading in national polls, the gap between Poilievre and the Liberal Party has diminished since Trudeau announced his resignation. The Conservative leader has since directed his criticism toward Carney, asserting that a Liberal leadership under him would mirror Trudeau’s administration.
The debate held on Monday is the first of two, with a second, English-language debate planned for Tuesday. Liberal Party members are set to cast their votes for the next leader on 9 March, following which Trudeau is anticipated to resign.
The French-language debate holds particular significance for Francophone Canadians in Quebec, whose votes play a crucial role in determining the next governing party in Canada.
Whoever is chosen as leader will ascend to the position of Canada’s next prime minister until the next general election, which must take place on or before 20 October.
