6 big moments and takeaways from the final leaders' debate | CBC News

CBC - 18/04
Four party leaders shared the stage for the final time Thursday night before Canadians head to the polls. Here are six key moments and exchanges from Thursday night.

Four party leaders shared the stage for the final time Thursday night before Canadians head to the polls.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh discussed numerous topics in the English leadership debate, including energy projects, the environment, public and national security as well as the cost of living.

Thursday's two-hour affair was the final debate before advance polls open this weekend. Voting day itself is just over a week away.

Here are six key moments and exchanges from Thursday night.

Others target Carney early and often

Carney's Liberals have held a fairly steady lead in the polls since the election was called last month. Carney was the main target of the other party leaders as a result.

Poilievre, Blanchet and Singh all took a swipe at Carney within the first 10 minutes of the debate.

Poilievre led the way by repeating his main argument from the campaign: that the Liberals have weakened the economy and shouldn't be trusted with another term.

Singh said Carney should have done more on EI before calling an election, while Blanchet accused him of not offering enough support to Quebec industries impacted by U.S. tariffs.

WATCH | Poilievre, Carney butt heads on Carney's record advising Liberal government: 

Poilievre, Carney butt heads on Carney’s record advising Liberal government

3 hours ago
Duration 2:58
During the English-language leaders’ debate on Thursday night, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre used his one question to any other party leader to press Liberal Leader Mark Carney on his past experience advising former prime minister Justin Trudeau.

The three leaders vying to unseat the Liberals did have exchanges with each other, but mostly tried to keep the focus on Carney. 

About a quarter of the way through the debate, Singh accused Poilievre of wanting to give tax breaks to wealthy Canadians and businesses. Moderator Steve Paikin asked Poilievre to respond to Singh, but the Conservative leader used the time to again focus on Carney.

Later in the debate, each leader was given an option to pose a q...
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