Mark Carney positions himself as Canada’s shield against Trump in heated debate
Department of Research, Studies and International News 18-04-2025
In a pivotal election debate on Thursday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney came under fire from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, yet steered much of the conversation toward a common adversary, U.S. President Donald Trump.
With the federal election looming on April 28, most polls indicate a slim lead for Carney’s Liberal Party over Poilievre’s Conservatives. Despite a narrow margin, the Liberals appear to have gained ground since Carney assumed leadership from Justin Trudeau on March 14. The recent English-language debate followed a previous night’s exchange conducted in French, the country’s other official language.
Carney, a former central banker with no prior electoral office experience, repeatedly warned of Trump’s growing influence and its implications for Canada’s sovereignty and economy. “Donald Trump is the greatest threat to our economic stability,” Carney declared. “He wants to dismantle our independence for his gain. We must stand firm against him, and I’m ready to lead that fight.”
Trump’s aggressive trade policies and rhetoric about territorial claims have sparked concern nationwide. Poilievre, who has served in parliament for nearly 20 years, has drawn criticism for being slow to confront Trump directly. Instead, he’s aimed his criticism squarely at the Liberals, blaming them for economic stagnation and increased dependence on the U.S. energy market.
“The Liberals handed Trump control of our energy by blocking pipelines that would have opened global markets for Canadian oil,” Poilievre argued. He painted Carney as a continuation of Trudeau-era policies, saying, “After a decade of empty promises, are Canadians better off? Is housing more affordable? Can families afford groceries?”
Carney responded by distancing himself from Trudeau. “You’re running against someone who’s no longer here,” he told Poilievre. “I’m offering a new path forward, one that defends Canadians, not divides them.”
The debate stage also featured Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party and Yves-François Blanchet of the Bloc Québécois. Both questioned Carney’s commitment to working-class Canadians, citing his history in finance, including positions at Goldman Sachs and Brookfield Asset Management.
Carney defended his background, asserting that his private sector experience equips him to navigate complex economic challenges. “My allegiance is to the Canadian people,” he said.
Since Trudeau’s resignation announcement in January, the Liberal Party has staged a comeback. CBC’s latest polling shows Liberal support at 43.3%, with the Conservatives trailing at 38%.
