The four remaining candidates in the race to become the next leader of the Liberals and replace the current Prime Minister participated in the first of two leadership debates on Monday. The candidates included a former central bank governor, a former deputy prime minister, a former government House leader who resigned to run for the leadership, and a former member of parliament. The debate, held in Montreal and conducted in French, covered a range of topics such as Canada-U.S. relations, economic issues, affordability, housing, healthcare, and climate policies.
A second debate, this time in English, is scheduled to take place in Montreal on Tuesday, with the final leadership vote set for March 9.
Concerns Over U.S. Trade Relations and Tariffs
A significant portion of the debate focused on U.S. trade policies and potential tariffs. The current U.S. administration has proposed a 25% tariff on Canadian imports and a 10% tariff on Canadian energy, with additional measures on steel and aluminum set to begin in March. The candidates largely agreed that these trade barriers pose a major challenge.
One candidate referred to the U.S. leader as the most significant threat to Canada since World War II and emphasized their past experience negotiating trade agreements, including a North American trade deal and a European trade agreement. Two candidates supported a retaliatory tariff approach, arguing that Canada must stand firm. One candidate proposed forming a new trade alliance with the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand to reduce reliance on the U.S.
Respectful and Cordial Debate
Unlike other political debates, this discussion remained civil, with the candidates often agreeing on key issues. They discussed policies on climate action, defense spending, and immigration with little confrontation. One candidate even helped another with translations during the debate, emphasizing a sense of camaraderie within the party.
One of the candidates appears to have a strong lead in fundraising, endorsements, and public polling, with data suggesting that if they are chosen as leader, the party would be in a close race with the opposition in the next election.
Possibility of an Early Election
There has been speculation that the new leader may call for an early election to take advantage of a recent surge in public support. However, two of the candidates do not currently hold seats in the House of Commons, which would present challenges in leading parliamentary discussions. When asked about the possibility of an early election, one candidate suggested that ongoing trade negotiations and economic concerns could influence the timing of parliamentary sessions.
Controversy Over Comments on the Middle East
A moment that attracted attention during the debate was when a candidate, while discussing the Middle East, misspoke in French and suggested agreement with a controversial group. Another candidate quickly intervened to clarify the intended statement. After the debate, the candidate who misspoke clarified their stance and stated they oppose the group in question. Some critics raised concerns about the comment, while supporters defended the candidate, emphasizing the challenges of debating in a second language.
Cost of Living and Affordability
During a discussion on affordability, the moderator asked candidates if they knew the average weekly cost of groceries for a family of four in Quebec. Two candidates estimated a cost of $200-250, while another did not provide an estimate. The moderator later stated the correct figure was around $300 per week.
Addressing Quebec-Specific Issues
The debate also covered Quebec-focused topics, including federal funding for provinces, immigration, and language laws. The candidates agreed that federal transfers to provinces should not be reduced. On immigration, some candidates suggested that population growth should be tied to housing availability, while one stated that immigration levels should be temporarily capped to ensure sustainability.
The candidates also discussed Quebec’s language and secularism laws. While one candidate called a specific law discriminatory, others avoided direct criticism, instead emphasizing the importance of protecting the French language and respecting national legal principles.
Energy and Infrastructure
During the debate, one candidate was asked about their stance on an east-west pipeline project. They responded that while such a project could be reconsidered due to changing economic conditions, it would only proceed with approval from the provinces involved.
The French debate set the stage for the upcoming English debate, where candidates will further present their visions for the party and the country. The leadership race remains competitive as the candidates prepare for the final decision in March.
