Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre face off in crucial Canada election debate

French-language debate may shift momentum in tight race between Liberals and Conservatives.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney returns to his office after a cabinet meeting on April 11, 2025, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada. Photo by Dave Chan/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

As the countdown to the April 28 election intensifies, Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre face off in a high-stakes French-language debate on Wednesday that could redefine the course of the Canadian political landscape. With tensions running high, the duel between Carney and Poilievre — leaders of Canada’s two main political forces — is expected to be a defining moment in a campaign increasingly shaped by economic uncertainty and geopolitical anxiety.

The focus of the night will be not only on economic visions and foreign policy but also on Carney’s ability to connect with Quebec voters in their native French. The debate, held in Montreal, represents one of the final chances for leaders to sway the hearts of an undecided electorate.

A two-horse race that could swing in either direction

What once looked like a fractured multiparty contest has now distilled into a head-to-head fight. For weeks, polls have pointed toward a tightening race, making this moment particularly crucial. Political observers say the focus is squarely on Carney vs Poilievre, a matchup that has sidelined smaller party leaders in the public eye.

Laura Stephenson, head of the political science department at Western University, remarked that the upcoming Canada election debate marks a rare shift in Canadian federal politics.

“This is really a two-horse race, and it isn’t usually like that,” she told AFP. “Seeing them talk to each other is going to be very important.”

For Mark Carney, the pressure is compounded by language. His French — long seen as a political vulnerability — will be tested in front of a Quebec audience that plays a pivotal role in Liberal victories.

Carney’s French under scrutiny but expectations remain low

Unlike many of his Liberal predecessors, Carney is not a native French speaker nor a Quebecois by birth. Raised in Alberta, he entered politics only recently, following a prestigious career in global finance that included leadership roles at the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England. His appointment as prime minister after Justin Trudeau’s resignation on March 14 was initially met with skepticism, particularly over his connection to Quebec.

But for some voters in Quebec, his grasp of French is secondary to the threat posed by an aggressive U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump. That sentiment was echoed by Carole Potvin, a 70-year-old Montreal resident and former Bloc Quebecois supporter.

“We feel threatened, and to face the American enemy we have to be united,” she said. “Carney’s French is not my concern today.”

Trump's shadow looms over Canadian politics

The French-language federal election debate is unfolding under the looming shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump. His rhetoric toward Canada — especially trade threats and even off-the-cuff remarks about annexation — has sent shockwaves across political and economic circles.

For Carney, Trump's actions have become central to his pitch. He argues that his background as a central banker during times of crisis makes him uniquely qualified to face a volatile global landscape.

“Canada needs a steady hand, someone who has navigated the storm before,” Carney told reporters earlier this week.

Poilievre, meanwhile, maintains that Carney is merely a continuation of Trudeau-era economic policies, which he claims have weakened the country and made it vulnerable to external shocks. He has pledged to hold the line against Trump as well, though analysts suggest he has failed to recalibrate his campaign to address the growing foreign policy threat with clarity.

Hockey and politics collide in Quebec

In an example of Canadian cultural nuance, Wednesday's debate was moved two hours earlier to avoid conflicting with the final regular season game of the Montreal Canadiens. The beloved hockey franchise remains a powerful cultural symbol in Quebec, and politicians know better than to compete with it.

Yet, while the timing may have shifted, the importance of the debate has only grown.

Quebec remains the key battleground for any Liberal path to victory. The province’s influence in federal elections has long been decisive, and the support of francophone voters could determine whether Carney’s leadership gains legitimacy or stalls under pressure.

Joining Carney and Poilievre on stage will be Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party, Yves-Francois Blanchet of the Bloc Quebecois, and Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault. While each has a core base, polls suggest they are struggling to break through in a polarized race.

Singh has focused on social justice issues, but his message has been drowned out by the growing Carney vs Poilievre dynamic. Blanchet continues to promote Quebec sovereignty but is watching his support erode as more Quebecers prioritize national unity in the face of Trump’s aggression.

Pedneault, meanwhile, offers a Green alternative but lacks the visibility to gain significant traction.

From financial expert to political leader: Carney’s climb

Carney’s rapid ascent from financial expert to prime minister has been nothing short of dramatic. When Trudeau stepped down on January 6, the Liberals were languishing, trailing the Conservatives by 24 points. Today, polls suggest the Liberals have surged to 44 percent support, narrowly ahead of the Tories at 37.9 percent.

His campaign has emphasized economic stability, fiscal responsibility, and international credibility — themes that resonate with centrist voters anxious about Canada’s global standing and economic resilience.

Even so, questions about his political instincts remain, and Wednesday’s debate could either validate his rise or expose vulnerabilities.

While momentum appears to be shifting toward the Liberals, a significant chunk of the electorate remains undecided. The Canadian leaders debate offers one of the last chances to shape public opinion before ballots are cast.

The English-language debate scheduled for Thursday will give Carney a more comfortable platform linguistically, but the French debate carries disproportionate symbolic and political weight.

Alexandre Tittley, a 50-year-old resident of Montreal, summed up what many voters feel. “We have a disgusting global situation because of Trump, and what we're looking for above all is a leader with a good head on their shoulders,” he said. “The candidates’ personalities are more important than their level of French.”

Poilievre’s messaging under fire

Though Pierre Poilievre is widely recognized for his sharp debating skills, some political analysts argue he has failed to evolve his message. While Carney has framed the election as a choice between economic chaos and experienced leadership, Poilievre continues to focus on attacking Liberal policies without clearly outlining how he would confront external threats, particularly Trump.

Political strategist Melinda Young told a local radio station this week, “Poilievre is great at opposition politics, but he hasn’t yet proven he can be a statesman.”

With only days left until Canadians vote, Wednesday’s Canada election debate is about more than French proficiency or political one-upmanship. It is about leadership in uncertain times.

As Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre face off, they’re not just fighting for votes — they’re fighting to define what kind of Canada emerges in a post-Trump world. And for many Canadians, the stakes have never felt higher.