5 Key Takeaways From the French-Language Leaders’ Debate

(L-R) Liberal Leader Mark Carney, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre before the French-language federal leaders' debate in Montreal on April 16, 2025. The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov

With some last-minute drama, the French-language leaders’ debate was held in Montreal on April 16.

A day before the debate, the timing was moved two hours earlier, from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m., due to a Montreal Canadiens hockey game happening at the same time.