Fri Apr 18 01:26:32 UTC 2025: ## Canadian PM Carney Champions Internal Free Trade in Final Debate
**Toronto, April 18, 2025** – With Canada’s federal election looming on April 28th, Prime Minister Mark Carney, leader of the Liberal Party, used the final English-language leaders’ debate to champion his plan for interprovincial free trade as a key economic policy. He argued that eliminating internal trade barriers would deliver greater economic benefits than any losses incurred due to US President Donald Trump’s trade war. Carney aims to achieve free trade across Canada’s ten provinces and three territories by July 1st.
Carney highlighted the significant shift in Canada’s relationship with the U.S. under Trump’s administration, citing tariffs and threats to make Canada the 51st state as catalysts for a surge in Canadian nationalism that has boosted Liberal Party support. He intends to immediately engage in trade talks with the Trump administration if re-elected.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, however, urged Canadians to reject a fourth Liberal term, framing the election as a referendum on the legacy of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He criticized the Liberals’ economic policies, accusing them of hostility towards Canada’s energy sector and of enacting “anti-energy laws, red tape and high taxes.” Poilievre pledged to repeal these measures if elected.
Recent polls reveal a shift in public opinion. While the Liberals trailed the Conservatives significantly in January, the latest Nanos poll shows them holding a slim 5-percentage-point lead. The differing poll results highlight the close nature of the race. The debate underscored the key issues at stake for Canadian voters as they prepare to head to the polls.
First Piper 