Liberal leadership candidates prepare to take the stage in final debate

The Liberal Leadership Contest Enters Home Stretch with Final English Debate

As the Liberal leadership contest nears its conclusion, the four candidates vying to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are gearing up for their final English debate. Former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, former government House leader Karina Gould, and former MP and businessman Frank Baylis will come together to discuss key issues facing Canada.

The candidates will delve into four main themes during the debate: Canada’s place in the world, growing the economy, affordability, housing, the environment, and public safety and health care.

Viewers can tune in to CBC News’s special coverage of the Liberal leadership candidates’ English-language debate on CBC News Network, CBC.ca, and CBC Gem at 7:45 p.m. ET. CBC’s Rosemary Barton and David Cochrane will provide analysis and cover the post-debate scrums.

The English debate follows Monday’s French-language debate, where Canada-U.S. relations took center stage. The candidates emphasized their ability to navigate relations with U.S. President Donald Trump, showcasing their diplomatic skills and experience.

Despite the competitive nature of the race, the French debate remained cordial, with candidates expressing agreement on various issues throughout the discussion.

The party recently disqualified a fifth potential candidate, Ruby Dhalla, for violating the race’s rules, further narrowing the field.

Former CBC News host Hannah Thibedeau will moderate Tuesday’s debate, providing a neutral platform for candidates to present their views and engage with one another. The Liberals are set to announce their new leader on March 9, marking the culmination of the leadership contest.