Carney says Trump key issue in Canada’s election, while Conservative rival says country needs change WSOC TV [Video]

TORONTO — (AP) — Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday the key question in Canada’s election is who is best to deal with U.S. President Donald Trump while his Conservative rival argued that Carney doesn’t represent change after a decade of Liberal Party rule.

Opposition Conservative Pierre Poilievre said during the French-language leaders’ debate Canada needs change and Carney is just like his predecessor Justin Trudeau.

“Mr. Poilievre is not Justin Trudeau. I’m not Justin Trudeau either. In this election the question is who is going to face Mr. Trump,” Carney said.

Trump’s trade war and threats to make Canada the 51st state have infuriated Canadians and led to a surge in Canadian nationalism that has bolstered Liberal Party poll numbers ahead of the April 28 vote.

Poilievre is imploring Canadians not to give the Liberals a fourth term. He hoped to make the election a referendum on Trudeau, whose popularity declined toward the …