Candidates for the leadership of the federal Liberal party are gathering tonight in Montreal for the first of two debates.
Former central banker Mark Carney, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, former government House leader Karina Gould and former MP Frank Baylis are competing to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the top job.
Ex-TVA-Québec anchor Pierre Jobin is moderating tonight's French-language debate, which begins at 8 p.m. ET.
Former CBC anchor Hannah Thibedeau will moderate Tuesday's English debate.
Thibedeau told The Canadian Press the debates are being framed around some "key themes."
The first will focus on Canada's place in the world, which she said will largely focus on U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats and calls for Canada to become a U.S. state.
Candidates also will be asked to discuss growing a strong economy, supporting Canadians — through immigration, health care and housing — climate action and support for young Canadians.
Thibedeau said the candidates know the themes but not the specific questions they'll be asked.
With little time remaining until voting begins and just two weeks before the winner is announced, these debates will be the only opportunities Liberal supporters get to see the candidates together.
Advance voting opens Wednesday for party members.
The winner of the race, to be announced March 9, will replace Trudeau as both Liberal leader and prime minister, though a general election call is widely expected soon after the votes are counted.
Based on polls and fundraising to date, Carney is the clear front-runner. Opinion surveys suggest his candidacy has helped the Liberals close the polling gap with the Conservatives.
Carney, a former governor of central banks in Canada and England, has been the target of Conservative attack ads in recent weeks. The Conservatives issued statements ahead of the first debate taking aim at him exclusively.
"Canadians will be watching to see what Mark Carney is actually proposing," said Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer.
"One thing will be clear: Carney is not offering real change from the last 10 years of Liberal government."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 24, 2025.
Nick Murray and Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press
