Mark Carney’s French under scrutiny after Liberal leadership debate [Video]

The first major French test for federal Liberal leadership hopeful Mark Carney came during Monday’s debate in Montreal, and it proved to be a tough slog.

Carney, the former Bank of Canada governor, is the presumed front-runner for the Liberal leadership and by extension the prime minister’s job.

Quebec’s political pundit class wasn’t convinced by his inaugural performance, although it’s unclear whether it will have an impact on his aspirations. But with the Liberals representing 33 of Quebec’s 78 ridings, the party is looking to maintain its support in the province if it hopes to stay in power after the next election, which is scheduled for October but could come as early as the spring.

One political science professor echoed what many commentators in Quebec said following the French-language debate — Carney’s mastery of the language was the weakest of the four candidates, who included former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, …