The spotlight was on five of Canada’s most influential political leaders as they participated in a candid and revealing live interview on Radio-Canada’s Cinq Chefs, Une Élection program. The two-hour event, aired on April 4, 2025, gave French-speaking Canadians a deeper understanding of where each party stands on critical issues including U.S. tariffs, the economy, Quebec sovereignty, and the French language.
The conversation began with Liberal leader Mark Carney, who found himself in the hot seat regarding his proficiency in French, a key issue for many in Quebec. While Carney’s command of the language is a work in progress, he impressed viewers with his commitment to improve. However, his performance during the show was scrutinized, with opposition leaders like Yves-François Blanchet questioning whether Carney’s language skills could truly serve Quebec’s interests, especially if the Liberal leader refuses to participate in a French-language debate. Carney gave his French a self-assessed six out of 10, expressing his desire to improve significantly by the end of a potential term.
The conversation then shifted to the economic impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff proposals. With Trump’s latest round of tariffs and the looming possibility of a trade war, Carney warned that these economic decisions could trigger a global recession. While discussing Canada’s position, Carney remained diplomatic but acknowledged that the tariffs were likely to hurt both U.S. and Canadian economies. He also addressed issues surrounding international relations, particularly with Israel and Ukraine, advocating for a delicate balance between military support and humanitarian action.
Next up was Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who did not hold back in criticizing the current Liberal administration. Poilievre laid blame for Canada’s economic vulnerabilities squarely at the feet of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government. Poilievre’s rhetoric was sharp and pointed, arguing that Canada needed to take a stronger stance against foreign threats, particularly from the United States. He promoted expanding Canada’s military capabilities and improving border security while also suggesting that foreign aid could be reduced to fund these initiatives. He also commented on controversial issues such as Bill 21, Quebec’s secularism law, and continued to question Canada’s relationship with international organizations like the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet, while softer on Carney’s French language skills, took aim at the Liberal party’s failure to prioritize Quebec’s needs. He criticized Carney’s commitment to supply management, a sector crucial to Quebec’s economy, and emphasized that Quebec should not be sidelined in the federal government’s policies. In his view, the balance of power has shifted too far towards Ontario.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh offered a different perspective, defending his party’s push for social programs that differentiate Canada from its neighbor, the United States. Singh took pride in his party’s role in pushing for dental and pharmacare programs, though he acknowledged Canada’s rising deficit. Singh also took a firm stance on Quebec’s Bill 21, opposing the secularism law but supporting constitutional challenges against it.
Lastly, Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault, who has struggled to gain significant attention in the campaign, used his opportunity to outline his vision for Canada’s future. Pedneault proposed creating a national stockpile of Canadian resources like lumber, aluminum, and steel to build affordable, prefabricated housing. His plan also included a radical shift in Canada’s energy policy, focusing on the green transition by ending oil and gas subsidies and capping oil production.
As these political leaders took to the stage, one theme became increasingly clear; the fight over Canada’s future is about much more than U.S. trade policies. It’s about how Canada defines its relationship with the world, how it balances the demands of its regions, and how it confronts challenges like the economy, sovereignty, and social issues.
