Liberal Leadership Candidates Debate on Strategies to Counter Trump and Throw Jabs at Each Other During English-Language Debate
The contenders vying to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau debated strategies for addressing the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, during the English-language debate in Montreal on Feb. 25.
Minister Karina Gould took a more aggressive stance toward other candidates in the Montreal debate compared to the previous night’s French-language debate. Meanwhile, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland indirectly criticized front-runner Mark Carney, a former central banker.
Like the prior night’s debate, most attacks centered on Trump, who threatened 25 percent tariffs on Canada and expressed his desire to incorporate Canada as the 51st U.S. state. The candidates also directed criticism at Poilievre, who will go up against the party in the upcoming federal election.
Carney, leading the race, labeled Trump’s tariffs as one of the most critical crises Canada has ever confronted.
“Pierre Poilievre is the worst person to stand up to Donald Trump,” Carney stated. The Conservatives argue they are the appropriate party to manage the Trump administration, claiming that Carney would mirror Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
To combat the tariff threat, Carney emphasized the need for Canada to strengthen its alliances with other nations, utilizing critical minerals and energy as bargaining chips while also bolstering the economy.
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Former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland concurred with Carney that Trump presents the most severe challenge Canada has faced since World War II. Freeland accentuated that Trump’s actions send a broader message to the world about his readiness to act against even reliable partners like Canada.
Freeland advocated for strategically imposing dollar-for-dollar tariffs on the U.S., mentioning specific targets like Teslas, Wisconsin dairy products, and Florida orange juice, both crucial states for Trump’s political success.
Additionally, Freeland proposed convening Mexico, Panama, Denmark, the European Union, and Asian allies for a summit to address U.S. aggression.
Gould criticized Carney’s sectoral protection policies, particularly his shift in focus from supply management to the auto sector between the two debates. She emphasized the need to clarify which sectors to safeguard and which to negotiate during discussions.
Carney clarified his negotiation strategy, emphasizing preserving non-negotiable aspects like language, culture, and natural resources, mentioning that the auto sector will be a focal point in negotiations.
Gould, echoing Freeland’s sentiment, emphasized the urgency of meeting NATO’s 2% GDP spending target sooner than Carney’s proposed timeline of 2030.
Baylis viewed Trump’s tariff threats as leverage for a border-related “win,” proposing a deal with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to remove Ottawa’s border security package if 25% tariffs are imposed.
The Economy
In response to Trump’s tariff menace, Carney suggested dismantling interprovincial trade barriers as a means to counteract the impact of the tariffs.
Freeland supported the idea of breaking down interprovincial barriers to strengthen the economy and underlined the opportunity provided by Trump’s actions to address productivity concerns.
During the debate segment, Carney highlighted that Canada’s economic growth in the last five years stemmed from increased immigration-driven labor force and government spending surging at double the pace of the economy.
Carney stressed the necessity for substantial changes to tackle the pre-existing weaknesses in the economy before Trump’s threats materialized.
Freeland defended the Liberal government’s fiscal stewardship, contrasting against Poilievre’s negative portrayal, emphasizing Canada’s robust fiscal position, triple-A credit rating, and lowest deficit among the G7.
Gould outlined her agenda as prime minister, focusing on enhancing productivity, protecting supply management, and supporting Canadians amidst a potential economic crisis, drawing parallels to the aid programs implemented during the pandemic.
Baylis proposed strategies to boost Canada’s productivity, citing his business background and advocating against policies like the capital gains tax increase introduced in 2024, which he believed could hamper investment.
