Trump Dominates Debate, While Underdogs Seek to Reshape the Narrative

The leaders of the Liberal, Conservative, NDP, and Bloc Québécois engaged in over four hours of debate across two nights, each aiming to demonstrate their suitability for governing. Their strategies involved presenting their own ideas while critiquing their rivals' platforms.

A key takeaway from the debates was the unifying influence of U.S. President Donald Trump. The potential economic and existential threats posed by Trump to Canada were a dominant theme. The leaders discussed their approaches to handling him, with the front-runner, Mark Carney, facing scrutiny from other leaders. Despite their differences, a degree of alignment emerged.

Carney and Pierre Poilievre agreed on the need for countertariffs and strengthening Canada's domestic economy through internal free trade and resource development. Poilievre suggested using defense spending as leverage in negotiations with Trump. Yves-François Blanchet and Jagmeet Singh emphasized the importance of defending values, with Blanchet focusing on Quebec's interests and Singh on preserving Canadian healthcare. The Bloc and NDP leaders also shared a stance against more oil and gas pipelines, contrasting with the positions of Poilievre and Carney. All four leaders addressed the strain on the immigration system and the need for reform.

Mark Carney, despite never having been a Member of Parliament, ran on his record as governor of central banks and his private sector experience. Blanchet challenged him to demonstrate how his actions had influenced crisis outcomes, a question Carney did not answer. Poilievre sought to link Carney to the past Liberal government, highlighting his ties to the party and accusing him of using Trudeau-era staff. However, Poilievre's own record, including his time as a cabinet minister in the previous Conservative government, was also questioned.

The debates provided significant airtime for the Bloc and NDP, who trailed in the polls. Blanchet focused on Quebec's interests, accusing Carney of not prioritizing them. Singh alluded to his party's role in supporting the previous Liberal minority government, reminding voters of the national pharmacare and dental care programs. He also criticized Carney for allegedly favoring the ultrarich over working-class Canadians.

The rules governing the debates were under scrutiny. The Leaders’ Debates Commission, responsible for organizing the events, faced criticism for its decisions, including the initial invitation and subsequent disinvitation of the Green Party, and the accreditation of an organization registered as a third party. The commission also altered the French debate's start time and canceled post-debate scrums.