Overview

• Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre met for the first time in a French-language debate, centering on U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war and annexation threats.
• Carney emphasized his experience as a former central banker, framing himself as the best candidate to negotiate with Trump and manage the economic crisis.
• Poilievre argued for change after a decade of Liberal governance, accusing Carney of continuing policies that weakened the economy and stalled resource development.
• Both leaders proposed temporary immigration caps to address housing and job shortages, reflecting shared concerns over infrastructure strain.
• Quebec's critical electoral influence was highlighted, with Carney seeking to win over Bloc Québécois voters as Poilievre criticized Liberal policies for neglecting provincial interests.