In Vancouver, four contenders vying for leadership of Canada’s Liberal Party articulated their perspectives in a debate, highlighting their approaches for managing relations with U.S. President Donald Trump. The candidates – former central banker Mark Carney, ex-Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, former government House leader Karina Gould, and past Montreal-area Member of Parliament Frank Baylis – agreed that Trump’s tariff threats could challenge Canada’s sovereignty.
Mark Carney, widely seen as a frontrunner to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, cited his financial crisis management skills, honed as governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, as a critical strength. Carney emphasized the importance of distinguishing between controllable and uncontrollable factors during crises. “We cannot change Donald Trump, but we can control our economic destiny,” he asserted, proposing to rally Canadian premiers to implement proportional tariffs against the U.S., minimizing Canada’s adverse impacts.
Chrystia Freeland, with her experience on the Canadian negotiation team for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, claimed readiness to confront Trump assertively. “I have the experience, the plan, and the guts to stand up to Trump, to tell him that Canada is not for sale,” she stated. Freeland supports retaliatory tariffs, intending to impose them on products such as Florida orange juice and dairy goods from Wisconsin, alongside a 100% tariff on Tesla vehicles entering Canada.
These strategies come as Trump declared a 25% tariff on Canadian imports would become effective on March 4, with energy imports facing a 10% levy. Trump’s suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state has further strained relations.
Former MP Frank Baylis, from Montreal, proposed collaboration with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to form a cohesive strategy against Trump’s economic policies. “We’re not going to let him take our jobs away,” Baylis declared, pledging intelligent counter-tariffs.
Karina Gould promotes a “Team Canada” initiative, aiming to engage both business leaders and citizens in the U.S. to emphasize that tariffs were not Canada’s choice. She encouraged Canadians to express opposition by avoiding travel to Florida and boycotting Florida orange juice.
The leadership race followed Chrystia Freeland’s unexpected resignation in December, prompting Justin Trudeau to announce his resignation on January 6, with plans for the Liberal Party to select a new leader on March 9. However, the incoming leader may face brief tenure, as all three opposition parties intend to challenge the Liberal minority government in a no-confidence vote set for March 24.
A potential fifth candidate, former MP Ruby Dhalla, was barred from the leadership race due to rule violations. The debate also covered topics like enhancing Canada’s healthcare system, affordability, and military upgrades. A prior French language debate took place in Montreal.
