“I do my own talking points, thank you very much”: The biggest dunks and disses from the federal leaders’ debate

The first and only English-language federal leaders’ debate was a chance for parties to clarify their positions on the issues that matter most to Canadians—oh, come on, who are we kidding? Thursday night was a smackdown, with each candidate looking to land as many blows as possible. Unsurprisingly, the most mud was slung at current prime minister and front runner Mark Carney, but Pierre Poilievre, Jagmeet Singh and Yves-François Blanchet didn’t exactly come out clean. Here, the night’s most notable dunks and disses—and why the ghost of Justin Trudeau may still determine this election.

The quote: “You are becoming a real Canadian leader—saying one thing in French and another one in English.” Who said it: Blanchet to Carney The context: The debate question was about tariffs. Carney walked back plans to hit the US with dollar-for-dollar retaliations, which Blanchet continues to support. Both Carney and Poilievre are advocating for a more targeted approach to the trade war—one that, according to Carney, will have “maximum impact on the United States and minimum impact here at home.” Blanchet’s blow was probably intended to undercut Carney’s reputation as sensible and trustworthy, but it seems he accidentally complimented the PM’s much-maligned French skills in the process.

The quote: “As prime minister, you showed us your priorities…you gave a tax cut to millionaires, but you didn’t have time to increase the amount workers get on EI.” Who said it: Singh to Carney The context: Singh is referring to Carney nixing the Trudeau Liberals’ proposed capital gains hike, which would have mainly affected the wealthiest Canadians. Carney says cancelling the hike will “help small businesses and boost private investment that will create jobs” as we stare into a bleak economic future. Critics say: blah, blah, blah—just another banking bro out to scratch the backs of his rich buddies.

The quote: “I will use the constitutional powers that are created for this purpose to ensure that mass murderers stay in maximum-security penitentiaries for life. They will only come out in a box.” Who said it: Poilievre, taking a jab at Liberal crime policy The context: Poilievre has pledged to be the first prime minister to use the notwithstanding clause to override the Charter rights of convicted felons. His plan to ensure that mass murderers die in jail conflicts with the Supreme Court’s ruling on consecutive sentencing. Poilievre said he would be protecting the safety of law-abiding Canadians; Carney countered that overriding judgements of the Supreme Court is a slippery slope and that the Charter exists to protect Canadians from politicians who may use their power to squash fundamental rights.

The quote: “You say you are a great negotiator. What have you negotiated but fiscal paradises in Bermuda or the Cayman Islands?” Who said it: Blanchet to Carney The context: Blanchet was throwing shade at Carney for his refusal to disclose his assets, which the Liberal leader put in a blind trust when he assumed the role of PM. This popular line of attack is intended to spritz Carney’s private-sector past with a certain eau-de-corruption, all while reminding voters that he probably doesn’t worry much about the cost of groceries.

The quote: “Six!” Who said it: Singh to Poilievre The context: This was a repeat of an exchange that took place during the French leaders’ debate the previous night, when Singh called out Poilievre for his record as minister of housing under Stephen Harper. Per Poilievre’s calculation, he was responsible for the construction of 200,000 new homes. According to Singh, the number of homes was only six. There’s a mind-boggling discrepancy between their claims (and they seem to be hyperbolic on both sides), but the visual of Singh holding up six fingers made for a meme-able moment.

The quote: “That’s the first time I’ve heard you care about the environment. Is that your new position?" Who said it: Singh to Poilievre The context: The Green Party’s unceremonious exclusion from the debate meant the leader most likely to preach climate accountability was absent on Thursday night. Cue Singh, who, with Mean Girls–calibre snark, took a dig at the federal Conservatives’ poor record on climate initiatives.

The quote: “I do my own talking points, thank you very much.” Who said it: Carney to Poilievre The context: Probably the clearest takeaway from this debate is that the ghost of Justin Trudeau is still on the ballot (even if the actual Trudeau is probably lost somewhere in Canadian Tire). Anyone playing a drinking game related to the number of times Poilievre mentioned a “fourth Liberal term” would have passed out by 8 p.m. During a conversation about the cost of living, Poilievre continually invoked Carney’s predecessor: “Justin Trudeau’s staffers are actually here with you…writing the talking points that you are regurgitating into the microphone,” which prompted Carney’s quick response. Aaron Sorkin couldn’t have said it better.

The quote: “I haven’t forgotten you.” Who said it: Poilievre to Canadians The context: It wasn’t an obvious zinger, but the promise Poilievre made to struggling Canadians—during which he invoked his own challenging upbringing and even teared up a bit—was his most important one-liner of the night. The Conservative leader went into the debate needing to present a less antagonistic, less Trump-like image. His promise to restore the Canadian dream was effective: a softer, gentler version of his “everything is broken” message, and one where he actually used the term “hope.”

The quote: “I know it may be difficult, Mr. Poilievre. You spent years running against Justin Trudeau and the carbon tax, and they’re both gone.” Who said it: Carney to Poilievre The context: The goal from Carney’s war room is to distance himself from the former Liberal leader as much as possible, and this line went a long way toward doing so. He gets extra points for making his main opponent look like a guy with a vendetta—someone better suited to the F**k Trudeau protests on the corner of Steeles and Highway 10 than to the PMO.