Carney Holds Ground, Poilievre Pushes Change in Heated French-Language Federal Election Debate

By Mindi Soren

The first of two televised federal leaders’ debates for Canada’s 2025 election took place tonight at the Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal, with the French-language debate setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. Liberal Leader Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet sparred over critical issues, including the cost of living, energy, U.S. trade tensions, and Quebec’s identity. With the election just 12 days away on April 28, the debate was a pivotal moment to sway francophone voters, particularly in seat-rich Quebec.

A Tight Race and a Targeted Liberal Leader

Polls leading into the debate showed the Liberals, under Carney’s leadership since March, holding a lead with 40% support in Quebec, followed by the Bloc Québécois at 25% and the Conservatives at 23%. Carney, a political novice and former Bank of England governor, was widely expected to be the primary target of his rivals, given his party’s decade-long rule and his scrutinized French-language skills. The Liberal leader faced relentless attacks but managed to exceed expectations, delivering a performance with no major gaffes, according to Quebec-based pollster Jean-Marc Leger.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre came out swinging, framing Carney as a continuation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s policies. “Mr. Poilievre is not Mr. Trudeau, and neither am I,” Carney countered, emphasizing that the election hinges on who is best equipped to confront U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs and annexation rhetoric. Poilievre accused the Liberals of weakening Canada’s economy by stifling natural resource development and driving up housing costs, a critique that resonated with his base but may have missed the mark with undecided voters, as noted by Conservative commentator Dimitri Soudas.

Key Moments and Policy Clashes

The two-hour debate, moderated by Radio-Canada’s Patrice Roy, covered five themes: cost of living, energy and climate, trade war with the U.S., identity and sovereignty, and immigration and foreign affairs. The format encouraged open exchanges, though it occasionally devolved into jabs and evasions, with Roy pressing leaders for direct answers.

Cost of Living: All leaders dodged questions about fully costed platforms, promising to release details post-debate. Blanchet quipped that his rivals’ budgets were “Harry Potter budgets,” implying magical thinking in promising both tax cuts and increased spending. Singh emphasized employment insurance protections for workers hit by U.S. tariffs, taking aim at Carney for inaction.

Energy and Climate: Poilievre and Carney found rare common ground on pipelines, with both expressing concerns about Canadian energy passing through the U.S., citing national security. Poilievre strongly supported oil production and nuclear energy while opposing the Liberals’ electric vehicle mandate. Singh advocated for a balanced approach, supporting oil production alongside renewables and an East-West energy grid, though he struggled with direct answers.

U.S. Trade War: Surprisingly, Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats received less focus than anticipated. Carney leaned into his experience as a global financier, positioning himself as the steady hand to navigate U.S. relations. Poilievre promised a similar tariff retaliation strategy but framed himself as a bolder change agent.

Quebec Identity and Sovereignty: Blanchet, the only native French speaker, dominated this segment, accusing Carney of neglecting Quebec’s values and provincial leaders. He pushed a Quebec-first platform, but analysts noted his message may struggle to break through in a race increasingly defined by Carney’s stability versus Poilievre’s call for change.

Standout Performances and Challenges

Carney’s French, while imperfect, held up under pressure, avoiding the cultural missteps some had feared. His calm demeanour and focus on stability played well, particularly among Quebec voters wary of Trump’s unpredictability, with polls suggesting some Bloc supporters view him as the best counter to U.S. threats. However, his lack of political experience was a recurring target, with Blanchet calling him untested and disconnected.

Poilievre’s fluency and sharp rhetoric energized his supporters, but his aggressive tone may have alienated undecided voters. His clear stance on energy and economic change stood out, yet his failure to soften his image as a “mini-Trump” – a perception he faced on Quebec’s popular Tout le monde en parle – could limit his appeal in the province.

Singh, a debate veteran, was passionate but spoke the least, with Roy even cutting his microphone at one point. His focus on Canadian values and national identity resonated emotionally, but his evasiveness on policy specifics drew criticism. Blanchet, leveraging his linguistic advantage, was assertive and witty, but his Quebec-centric focus risked alienating voters outside the province.

Context and Impact

The debate’s 6 p.m. ET start time, shifted to avoid clashing with a critical Montreal Canadiens hockey game, underscored Quebec’s cultural priorities. However, the earlier slot and competition with the game likely reduced viewership, with Quebec’s later dining habits and hockey fervour pulling attention. Only 20% of Quebec voters said the debate would influence their vote, per a Postmedia-Leger poll, suggesting a small pool of persuadable viewers.

Looking Ahead

With the English-language debate scheduled for April 17 and advance voting beginning April 18, the French debate sets the tone for a polarized campaign. Carney’s ability to weather attacks bolsters his front-runner status, but Poilievre’s change narrative keeps the race competitive, with the Liberals at 42% and Conservatives at 36% nationally. For Singh and Blanchet, the debate was a chance to regain ground, though their impact may be confined to specific voter bases.

As Canadians digest the debate’s highlights – and catch up on hockey scores – the focus shifts to whether tonight’s exchanges will sway the undecided or merely reinforce existing divisions. With Trump’s shadow looming, the stakes for April 28 remain sky-high.

Mindi Soren is a freelance journalist and writer for Veritas Expositae

You can reach her at mindi.soren@veritasexpositae.com