Carney faces off with chief rival during first Canada debate | U.S. & World [Video]

By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Prime Minister Mark Carney faced off with his chief rival for the first time during Canada’s election campaign on Wednesday, in a French-language debate that could help determine who wins the April 28 vote and then deals with U.S. tariffs.

Polls show the ruling Liberals, who have been in power for 9-1/2 years, ahead of the Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre.

Carney has admitted his French is imperfect. Jean-Marc Leger, head of Quebec-based polling firm Leger, said Carney exceeded expectations in a debate that produced no obvious gaffes.

Carney, who served as head of the central banks of both Canada and England, says his experience in dealing with crises makes him the best choice to negotiate with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has said he wants to annex Canada.

Carney briefly served as economic adviser to former Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who Poilievre blames for rising prices …