Liberal leadership candidates during Monday night’s debate failed to distinguish themselves from one another, and instead focused on the dangers of President Donald Trump and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s economic adviser Mark Carney, former Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, former House leader Karina Gould and former Liberal MP Frank Baylis joined the debate stage in Montreal ahead of the March 9 vote.
The Liberal candidates during the debate repeatedly said they “completely agree” with each other, and in lockstep portrayed Trump as Canada’s biggest threat, and Poilievre as incompetent.
None of the candidates said they would go to Washington to negotiate with the president. Freeland, Gould and Baylis said they wouldn’t dignify Trump by making the trip but would either send delegates or negotiate remotely, and Carney refused to answer the question.
Instead, Carney said he already has a solution: reciprocate tariffs “dollar-for-dollar.”
“That will have a maximum impact on the US and minimum impact here at home,” claimed Carney, who previously served as governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.
All four candidates agree Canada should continue supporting Ukraine, pushed for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine and tentatively said they would build pipelines while “fighting climate change.”
Carney was directly asked by the moderator about his recent contradictory remarks that he would invoke emergency powers to bolster the economy, but at the same time won’t build a pipeline through Quebec.
"A project like Energy East is possible. It's a fact. It's possible to build an oil pipeline from Quebec to the Maritimes, from Alberta, to displace our oil exports to the US,” replied Carney.
He said “70% of our oil comes from the US, our neighbor. No longer our friend, of course.”
“I think it's an opportunity for us that we should seize."
“It’s quite possible Quebec will say yes given the changing circumstances. The federal government must act quickly to support a project like Energy East.”
Freeland agrees “we have to be more resilient with homegrown energy.”
“Natural gas comes from a pipeline going through the US. That position is dangerous for us and we have to do something about that,” she said.
Gould was less convinced, but still went along with it. “I don't know if it's a pipeline or refining our resources here in Canada. We need to have this conversation,” she said.
“We have to ask, how can can go forward with the resources we have, and fight climate change.”
Baylis wants two gas pipelines, one from Alberta to east Canada, and one to the west.
They all said they’ll lower taxes and cost of living, invest in healthcare, build houses, preserve French language and culture, support Quebec shutting off energy to the US, maintain current immigration thresholds, ease restrictions on inter-provincial trade and would not cut transfer payments to provinces.
The candidates also universally agree Poilievre is a major threat to the Liberal party — particularly when it comes to his proposed cuts on CBC funding. Baylis called him a “real menace” for his “attack on the CBC” and Freeland added Poilievre is “very dangerous to our sovereignty.”
Freeland in her opening remarks told a story of meeting a four-year-old girl in Saskatoon who allegedly asked her “whether I could prevent Trump from invading our country.”
“Trump represents the greatest threat to Canada since World War II,” said Freeland. Later in the debate she boasted how she “succeeded in protecting our economy” during the president’s first term in office.
Freeland said she would be best equipped to lead Canada in a tariff war because she’s already gone toe-to-toe with Trump and “can predict what he’s going to do.”
“Because I’ve already done it. I negotiated with Trump, I negotiated the new NAFTA. So I can predict what he's going to do, and that's why I feel that I can prepare our defense and our counter attack as well, because I've already done it.
“Poilievre is completely unable to be the leader that Canada needs now. He’s a leader who can’t unite Canada. He’s too weak to face up to Trump.”
She highlighted her involvement in signing a trade agreement with the European Union and Asia Pacific countries, but denied the fact she as finance minister racked up a $40 billion deficit in her budget released in December — $20 billion over her own guardrails.
“We are all Liberals, and we are not going to repeat Conservatives disinformation. The reality is that Canada's financial record is very strong,” said Freeland.
She promised to reduce taxes for the middle class, limit credit card interest rates, add more daycare spots and more affordable housing. On Ukraine, Freeland claimed Ukrainians are “defending democracy” not just for themselves, but for Canadians too.
Carney said he saved Canada as governor of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 economic crisis. “I can be useful there today. I know how to get through crises, I know how to build a strong economy,” said Carney.
“We are the masters in our own house, and I know that we can control our own economic destiny.”
Carney said “today's Trump is very different from the Trump of the past. He is more aggressive. Now he wants our country.”
He said Canada needs to have “one single Canadian economy, not 13 different ones,” emphasizing the “Team Canada strategy.”
“The positive impact will be more than the negative impact of Trump's tariffs,” he said.
Carney promised to “balance the operational budget in three years” while cutting taxes and simultaneously increasing the military budget to meet NATO targets by 2030.
When the moderator asked “where [he was] going to get the money,” Carney did not offer particulars.
Carney also believes Canada must focus on trade with the EU to “leverage our assets, become a superpower of clean energy and create supply chains for critical minerals and metals.”
Baylis, an engineer and businessman, said he has plans to improve the economy and healthcare system and “modernize” the federal government for “efficiency.”
Baylis mused Trump wouldn’t stop at 25% tariffs — and if selected as Liberal leader, he wouldn’t pay up.
“Let's say he goes to 500% tariffs,” he said.
“And I'm going to say send me the bill, I'm not going to pay. So it's not going to be me that cuts electricity. We're not going to pay the tariff on the energy.”
He also portrayed Trump as unreasonable for “wanting us to reinforce the border.”
“I wouldn’t have given into him on that,” he said, adding he would counter that illegal weapons come into Canada from the US.
To deal with US tariffs, he would establish a “new economic block” between Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Here in Canada, Baylis wants to “augment productivity, not increase taxes.”
“We have to bring some discipline to Ottawa.”
Gould said “Trump will create chaos” and said she plans to double-down on the Supply Management Agreement. She spoke a lot about “unity” and how she should be prime minister because she “loves Canada” and is “proud to be Canadian.”
As for the carbon tax, Freeland said she would “eliminate the carbon tax on consumers as part of a larger climate plan,” Baylis said “polluters will pay,” Gould said she’s “not going to abandon the fight against climate change” but would cancel the April 1 carbon tax hike and Carney said he’s “devoted by entire career to fighting climate change … and we know it’s a duty for Quebec and Canada to deal with climate change.”
“We need to recognize Trudeau for what he’s done on the climate. He’s the first prime minister in history to put together a climate action plan. For the first time we are seeing economic growth while emissions are going down,” said Freeland.
“As a mother of two children, I cannot allow the planet to burn! I have to do my share to ensure we have clean water and clean air,” exclaimed Gould.
“I’ll be cancelling it on consumers and small and medium size businesses where big consumers will pay, but households won't pay,” said Carey.
“Canadians have been very clear: we have to win against Poilievre. If we lose to Poilievre, we lose everything,” chimed in Freeland.
None of the leaders were clear about calling a snap election after being selected as leader. They all said it depends on the Trump tariff situation.
Liberal party members aged 14 years and older will vote to select the party’s new leader, who will by default become the next prime minister of Canada.
An English-language debate will be held Tuesday night.