The four candidates vying to become the next leader of Canada’s Liberal party have made the case during a debate why they are best suited to deal with U.S.

Before last night, it appeared that Mark Carney was on a fairly unobstructed glide path towards the leadership,” said veteran Liberal operative John O’Leary. “There’s an opportunity now for Karina to change that map with how she behaves in the coming days and weeks.

Freeland’s team believes that Carney benefitted from the fact that the leadership race was so short. And even before the debates, her campaign was stating it was “very aware” that the road ahead would be bumpy to make sure she becomes the next leader.

Liberal Party of Canada leadership candidates Mark Carney, left to right, Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould and Frank Baylis during the French-language Liberal Leadership debate in Montreal, Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. The Federal Liberals will pick a new leader ...

The candidates will gather in a Montreal film studio for a debate in French. Former TVA-Québec anchor Pierre Jobin will moderate.

Polls suggest Carney has a commanding lead in the race to replace Justin Trudeau at the helm of Canada’s Liberal Party, a win that would also make him prime minister — if perhaps only briefly.