Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney faced a barrage of attacks from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre during a high-stakes election debate on Thursday night, but the newly appointed Liberal leader remained focused on what he called the greatest threat to Canada’s future: U.S. President Donald Trump.
With just over a week to go before the April 28 federal election, Carney sought to steer the conversation away from domestic critiques and toward Trump’s growing influence, warning that Canada’s economic sovereignty is at risk. “The biggest risk we have to this economy is Donald Trump,” Carney declared. “He is trying to break us so he can own us.”
Poilievre, however, was relentless in painting Carney as a continuation of the unpopular Trudeau era, questioning his ability to bring change after serving as Trudeau’s top economic advisor. “How can we possibly believe that you are any different than the previous ten years of Liberal government?” he challenged. He also blamed the Liberals for allowing the U.S. to dominate Canada’s energy industry, citing a failure to build critical pipeline infrastructure.
Carney, a former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor with no prior experience in elected office, tried to deflect criticism by stressing his outsider status. “I know you want to be running against Justin Trudeau. Justin Trudeau isn’t here,” he told Poilievre.
The debate also saw Carney challenged by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Quebecois chief Yves-Francois Blanchet, both of whom questioned whether Carney’s background in global finance most notably with Goldman Sachs and Brookfield would prevent him from standing up for ordinary Canadians.
Carney defended his private sector experience, insisting it equips him to lead in turbulent times. “I’m on the side of Canadians,” he said firmly.
Once trailing badly in the polls, the Liberals have seen a resurgence since Carney replaced Trudeau on March 14. According to the latest CBC poll aggregator, the Liberals now lead with 43.3% support, while the Conservatives trail at 38%, signaling a tight race ahead of the vote.
