Who Won the French-Language Leaders’ Debate?

On April 16, 2025, four federal leaders—Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre, Jagmeet Singh, and Yves-François Blanchet—faced off in the first of two televised debates ahead of Canada’s federal election. Hosted in Montreal, this French-language leaders’ debate gave Quebec voters a chance to see how each leader performed in a province that could decide the outcome of the April 28 vote.

So—who actually won?

A Debate Without a Clear Knockout

There was no obvious landslide winner, but a few standouts emerged depending on what you were looking for:

Mark Carney: Held His Ground, But Not Without Bumps

Several pundits felt this was Carney’s debate to lose—and he didn’t. Despite nerves at the start and a few awkward moments in French, he remained composed under pressure. His message focused on experience, especially in facing off against U.S. President Trump, and he worked hard to distance himself from Trudeau’s legacy.

According to pollster Jean-Marc Léger, Carney surpassed expectations, especially since French is not his first language. While his delivery occasionally faltered, he avoided major missteps and presented himself as a steady hand in a time of global uncertainty.

Jagmeet Singh: Energetic, Passionate, and Punchy

Singh stood out for his energy and clear command of the facts. He targeted Poilievre the most, taking strong swings at both the Conservative and Liberal records. He even joked mid-debate, earning some laughs—proof that he held his own linguistically. But not everything landed. Critics noted he dodged yes-or-no questions, especially on climate and energy, which may have undermined some of his stronger moments.

Pierre Poilievre: Toned Down, But Missed Opportunities

Poilievre, usually sharp-tongued, came across as more reserved. He avoided his usual attack-dog mode, focusing instead on his core platform: lower taxes, more homes, and pipeline development. His French was solid, and he managed to appear more prime ministerial than expected. However, some pundits felt he missed key opportunities to go on offense, especially with Singh openly criticizing his record.

Yves-François Blanchet: Best on Home Turf

If this were a home game, Blanchet made the most of it. He used his deep familiarity with Quebec issues to draw attention back to his national identity message. Pundits praised his poise and fluency, and he was quick to challenge Carney on pipelines and push back on using identity as a political tool. On the climate front, he positioned the BQ as a green energy advocate, setting himself apart from the rest.

What Surprised the Analysts?

• Poilievre’s calm demeanor—a far cry from his usual zingers.
• The bilingual banter—leaders joked in French without sounding forced.
• The last-minute exclusion of the Green Party from the debate—an odd move, especially during an energy-themed segment.
• The unexpected consensus on boycotting American strawberries—yes, really. It was a rare moment of unity.

Will It Change Voters’ Minds?

Probably not. As most analysts agreed, debates rarely change outcomes. But this one helped paint a clearer picture of each leader:

• Carney proved he can weather attacks, even if his French still needs polish.
• Poilievre appeared stable, but maybe too quiet for undecided voters.
• Singh brought fire, but dodged too many direct questions.
• Blanchet connected with Quebecers, but is unlikely to shift national momentum.

As it stands, Carney remains the frontrunner, but the debate solidified Blanchet’s edge in Quebec and gave Poilievre a calm, measured platform. The final English-language debate could be more decisive.

More…

• https://ottawacitizen.com/news/who-won-the-french-language-leaders-debate
• https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/livestory/leaders-debate-french-event-draws-out-spirited-exchanges-on-pipelines-immigration-and-trump-9.6726360?webview=true&appname=news-android-app&didomiConfig.notice.enable=false&udid=9a0d3ec0-6c1a-4fd2-91a9-e738d751505f
• https://www.ctvnews.ca/federal-election-2025/article/i-am-not-justin-trudeau-carney-defends-record-as-party-leaders-spar-over-economy-immigration-and-crime