Trump threats dominate Liberal leadership debate in Canada

Candidates who compete to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the leader of the liberal party in Canada for the first time on Monday in a French language discussion.

This stage was shared by four hopes: the former bank ruler in Canada and England Mark Carne, former Finance Minister Christia Frieland, the leader of the liberal cabinet Carina Gold, and former businessman Frank Bales.

The issue of how Donald Trump was dealing with the first half, as the American president has repeatedly threatened to tariffs in Canada and made it “State 51”.

The candidates also answered questions about local matters such as migration, health care and the high cost of living.

Early discussion, Freelland – whose resignation as a financial minister in December stated that Trump’s leadership collapsed – that Trump represents “the biggest threat to Canada since World War II.”

She was often experienced in the government, saying that she successfully faced Trump during his first term when she helped re -negotiate the Free Trade Agreement in North America.

But Freeland warned that Trump’s second state may be worse for Canada.

She said: “He wants to turn Canada into the 51st state, and it is not a joke.” “That’s why he supports him [Russian President] Vladimir Putin’s criminal attempt to re -draw the borders of Ukraine. “

“Trump also wants to redraw our borders,” said Freeland.

To face these threats, Freeland and other candidates have suggested strengthening trade relations with the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Pelis proposed the “new economic bloc” consisting of Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, noting that all four countries share the same values, cultures and regimes.

Carney, a single candidate in the polls, focused his message to help Canada achieve economic prosperity. He suggested doing this by taking advantage of its resources, including critical minerals and minerals, as well as making Canada a “great power of clean energy” and removing commercial barriers between provinces.

He, also, agreed with Freeland that Trump’s second term was different from the first.

“He is more isolated. It’s more aggressive,” Carney said. “In the past, he wanted our markets. Now he wants our country.”

He added that he will be in support of the dollar tariff against the dollar on the United States, Trump must move forward with his threat to impose a 25 % tax on all Canadian goods that start on March 4.

Gold, the smallest candidate on the stage, put herself as a candidate for “for today and the future”, with a message to how a liberal party worked under its leadership to make life more expensive for Canadians.

The candidates also dealt with the change of American policy on Ukraine. As the four were discussed, Trudeau in Kyiv has occupied three years since the beginning of the war of Russia, Ukraine.

All the four candidates agreed to continue Canada to support Ukraine. Freeland suggested that the money seized from Russia be redistributed through sanctions to help Ukraine’s war effort, while Carney stated that any discussion about the future of Ukraine could not happen without Ukrainians on the table.

Frieland also suggested that Canada should enhance closer relationships with Denmark, which, as noted. He was also facing Trump’s threats, who indicated his desire to seize Greenland – Danish lands.

In the second half of the discussion, the candidates presented their ideas on how to help Canada reduce the federal budget deficit, address crime and increase its military spending.

They were also asked about climate change, as both Freeland and Carney said that they no longer supported carbon tax on consumers – a major climatic policy for the Trudeau government, which has become unpopular with the Canadians.

At some points, the candidates also targeted the leader of the Conservative Party, Pierre Boelifer, saying it would be inappropriate to defend Canada against Trump.

Poilievre is currently leading in national ballot boxes, although the gap between him and the liberal party has been narrowed since Trudeau has resigned. The conservative leader has since focused his attacks on Carney, on the pretext that the liberal party under his leadership will not differ from those under Trudeau.

Discussion on Monday is the first of two, with a second discussion in English scheduled for Tuesday. The liberal party members will vote in favor of their next leader on March 9, and then Trudeau is expected to step down.

The discussion in the French language is especially important for the Francophone Canadians in Quebec, whose voices are influencing the assistance in determining the party that will form the next Canada government.

Whoever is elected as a leader will become the next prime minister in Canada until the upcoming general elections, which must be held on October 20 or before.