Debate begins with party leaders laying out priorities beyond trade policy and Trump

By Canadian Press on April 16, 2025.

OTTAWA — As the French language election debate got under way Wednesday night, the four main federal party leaders were asked to lay out policy priorities that have nothing to do with the elephant in the room: U.S. President Donald Trump.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney cited his promises to double housing construction, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre vowed to cut income taxes and GST on new homes.

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said Quebec should have the right to run its own economy using its own natural resources. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh prioritized health care, noting his party’s efforts to secure dental and pharmacare programs under the previous government.

The first of the election’s two debates is structured around five key topics: the cost of living, energy and climate, the trade war, identity and sovereignty, and immigration and foreign affairs.

The leaders began the debate by sparring over the trade war with the United States and pitching themselves as the best people to negotiate with Trump.

The Green Party was removed from the debate earlier this morning after fielding candidates in less than 70 per cent of ridings.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2025.

Canadian Press Staff, The Canadian Press