Trump relationship dominates Canada election debate

Four candidates hoping to replace Justin Trudeau as prime minister of Canada debated each other for the first time Monday. The first half of the French-language debate focused heavily on how to deal with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, widely considered a front-runner, called Trump the greatest threat to Canada since World War II and said his comments about making Canada the 51st U.S. state should be taken seriously. She suggested strengthening trade ties with the United Kingdom and European Union to counter Trump.

Another candidate, former governor of the banks of Canada and England Mark Carney, proposed dollar-for-dollar tariffs on the United States if Trump carries out his threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods next week.

In the latter half of the debate, the candidates discussed ideas on reducing the budget deficit and crime rates. Freeland and Carney also said they no longer support a controversial carbon tax on consumers.

Who are the candidates for prime minister? Besides Freeland and Carney, Liberal House leader Karina Gould and former Parliament member and businessman Frank Baylis are also running for prime minister.

Whoever wins the March 9 election will become the country’s leader and head of the Liberal Party until the next general election, which will be held on or before Oct. 20. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre is expected to run for prime minister in the general election.