With just over two weeks until the Liberal Party selects its next leader, frontrunners Chrystia Freeland and Mark Carney made high-profile campaign stops on Wednesday, each outlining their vision for Canada’s economic future.
Freeland: Strong Stance on Trade and Supply Management
During a visit to a dairy farm in Waterville, Quebec, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland vowed to defend Canada’s supply management system in any future trade talks with the U.S. Amid escalating tensions over Donald Trump’s tariff threats, Freeland also called for the government to immediately release a list of retaliatory tariffs on American goods, including dairy products.
Positioning herself as the best candidate to handle Trump, she reminded voters of her role in negotiating CUSMA (Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement) in 2018, stating:
“I am ready to defend Canada once again. Canada needs a ferocious mother, and I am that person.”
Carney: Fiscal Discipline and Economic Growth
Meanwhile, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney spoke in Scarborough, Ontario, where he laid out a plan to rein in government spending while making room for investments to boost Canada’s economy. His campaign emphasizes balancing the government’s operational budget within three years, capping the size of the federal public service, and reviewing program spending for efficiency.
Carney also advocated for a “small deficit on capital spending” to encourage infrastructure growth, arguing that prudent investments are essential for economic stability.
“It begins with the government organizing its affairs and encouraging private investment to fortify the middle class.”
Poilievre Criticizes Carney’s Fiscal Approach
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre dismissed Carney’s strategy, accusing him of employing a “sneaky accounting trick” by planning to balance only the operational budget while running deficits in capital spending. Poilievre compared Carney’s approach to Justin Trudeau’s 2015 spending strategy, which he claims led to the current affordability crisis.
Leadership Race and Fundraising Battle
Carney appears to be leading the race in fundraising, having raised nearly $2 million, significantly ahead of Freeland’s $600,000. Meanwhile, recent polling suggests that if Carney wins the leadership, the Liberals and Conservatives could be in a dead heat, marking a shift after nearly two years of double-digit Conservative leads.
With the March 9 leadership vote approaching, both candidates are intensifying their campaigns, aiming to position themselves as the best choice to take on Trump’s trade threats and Pierre Poilievre’s economic policies.
