Overview

• Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre faced off in their first debate, held in Montreal, ahead of the April 28 federal election.
• Carney emphasized his crisis-management experience and positioned himself as the best candidate to confront U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats.
• Poilievre criticized the decade-long Liberal rule, arguing that Carney represents continuity rather than change and highlighting domestic issues like the cost of living and housing crisis.
• The debate, held in Quebec, a key battleground with 78 seats, saw some Bloc Québécois voters shifting support to Carney due to his perceived ability to handle Trump.
• Recent polls show the Liberals maintaining an eight-point lead over the Conservatives, a dramatic reversal from earlier in the year when the Conservatives held a substantial advantage.