The four remaining candidates in the Liberal Party leadership race faced off Monday night in the French-language debate, tackling key issues such as Canada-U.S. relations, affordability, housing, health care, and climate action.
Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, former House Leader Karina Gould, and former MP Frank Baylis participated in the two-hour debate, moderated by Pierre Jobin. The candidates will debate again in English on Tuesday, with the party selecting its next leader on March 9.
The debate began with a heated discussion on U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs, which are set to take effect on March 4 despite Canada’s recent border security measures. Canada is also facing steel and aluminum tariffs on March 12 and potential reciprocal tariffs in April.
Freeland positioned herself as the best candidate to negotiate with Trump, citing her role in renegotiating NAFTA and securing Canada’s trade agreement with the EU (CETA). Both she and Carney supported retaliatory dollar-for-dollar tariffs, with Carney noting that Trump is “more isolationist and aggressive” than during his first term.
Gould emphasized the need for new strategies in dealing with Trump, arguing that old negotiation tactics may not work this time. Meanwhile, Baylis proposed forming a new trade bloc with Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand to reduce reliance on the U.S. market.
Unlike many political debates, Monday’s event was largely cordial, with candidates frequently agreeing on key issues like carbon pricing, defense spending, and immigration policy. Freeland even helped Carney with French translations, underscoring their longstanding political friendship.
Carney, who leads in fundraising, endorsements, and polling, has positioned himself as the frontrunner. Political analysts suggest that his rivals were careful not to attack him too aggressively, avoiding moments that could be used against the party in a general election.
One moment that drew swift online reaction occurred when Carney, during a discussion on Palestinian statehood, misspoke in French, saying, “We agree with Hamas” before quickly correcting himself.
Freeland immediately clarified the statement, and Carney later reiterated, “We are against Hamas and for a two-state solution.”
Conservatives were quick to seize on the moment, with Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman and MP Michael Barrett criticizing Carney on social media. However, Liberal MP Anthony Housefather defended Carney, saying it was clear he misspoke in a second-language debate.
When asked about grocery prices, Jobin quizzed the candidates on the average weekly grocery bill for a family of four in Quebec.
Freeland and Gould estimated between $200-250, while Carney declined to answer. Jobin revealed the correct figure as $300 per week.
Candidates also debated federal transfers, immigration levels, and controversial Quebec laws.
Freeland and Carney both avoided directly answering whether they would intervene in Quebec’s Bill 96, the province’s language law. However, Baylis called it “discriminatory”, particularly toward francophones wanting to learn English.
On Bill 21, Quebec’s secularism law banning religious symbols in public service, Gould and Freeland voiced support for Quebecers challenging it in the Supreme Court, while Carney remained noncommittal.
When pressed on past conflicting statements about pipelines, Carney clarified that while an east-west pipeline is a possibility due to the economic climate under Trump, it would only move forward with provincial approval, including Quebec’s consent.
The English-language debate takes place Tuesday in Montreal, and with just two weeks until the leadership vote on March 9, candidates are making their final pitches to party members.
Carney, who does not currently hold a seat in Parliament, would need to secure one if elected leader, adding further uncertainty to the timing of the next federal election, which many expect will be called soon after the leadership race concludes.