Mr Carney responded to Conservative Pierre Poilievre, who during a French-language leaders’ debate claimed that Canada needs change and that Mr Carney is just like his predecessor, Justin Trudeau.
“Mr. Poilievre is not Justin Trudeau. I’m not Justin Trudeau either. The question in this election is who is going to face Mr Trump,” Mr Carney said.
Last month, the former Bank of England chief announced a snap election amidst a trade conflict with the US and threats from President Trump to incorporate Canada into the United States.
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Canadian PM: ‘Tariffs are an attack’
Before this, Mr Carney’s Liberal government appeared to be heading for a historic defeat in this year’s election. However, the trade war and attacks by Mr Trump on Canada’s sovereignty sparked a surge in nationalism, boosting the Liberal Party’s poll numbers ahead of the vote on April 28.
‘Relentless focus’
Mr Poilievre has been urging Canadians not to re-elect the Liberals.
“One of the differences is that I prioritize economic growth much more. In these trying times, I would focus relentlessly on growing the economy,” Mr Carney stated during a press conference after the debate.
“We need change. You do not represent change,” Mr Poilievre said to Mr Carney.
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Yves-François Blanche of the Bloc Québécois, whose party is losing support in Quebec to Carney’s Liberals, agreed. He stated that the Liberals are essentially the same party, with the same ministers and politicians, and that a new leader wouldn’t alter their identity.
A mid-January Nanos poll showed the Liberals trailing the Conservative Party by 47% to 20%. However, in the latest Nanos poll, the Liberals lead by 8 percentage points. The margin of error in the January poll was 3.1 points, while in the latest poll it was 2.7 points.
Mr Carney was the head of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis and the first non-UK citizen to lead the Bank of England from 2013. He helped to steer the UK through the impact of Brexit.
