Liberal Leader Mark Carney in Ottawa on March 10, and at right, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre on March 27 in Coquitlam, B.C.The Canadian Press/ Getty Images
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Liberal Leader Mark Carney appeared on a popular Quebec talk show to court voters in the seat-rich province with two weeks left until the federal election.
The two leaders sat down Sunday night for consecutive but separate interviews on Tout le monde en parle, a weekly Radio-Canada program that draws about one million viewers.
Their appearance took place as Liberals enjoy a significant lead in Quebec over other federal parties, according to public opinion polls.
While Mr. Poilievre presented a gentler version of himself who understands Quebec culture, Mr. Carney’s French was tested as he faced questions from host Guy A. Lepage.
The Conservative Leader addressed his softened tone and temperament during the federal election campaign, saying that his perceived aggressiveness in the past came from his drive to fight for people. But now, he said, it’s time to take a different approach to politics.
“I was the Leader of the Opposition. Now I’m preparing to become prime minister. It’s the time to present hope,” he said.
Mr. Poilievre, who has been frequently compared to U.S. President Donald Trump by his opponents, said he was unlike the American President because he doesn’t come from a wealthy background. He also said he was more empathetic.
“There’s no one I’d compare myself with,” he added.
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The Conservative Leader reaffirmed that he would not cut funding to Radio-Canada, arguing that the French arm of the public broadcaster is necessary to promote the French language and francophone culture. Mr. Poilievre said the same case cannot be made for CBC.
Mr. Lepage also questioned Mr. Poilievre about the limited access the Conservative campaign has given to the media, including not allowing journalists to travel with the campaign and limiting questions in news conferences.
The Conservative Leader defended his approach, noting that he gives more questions to local media and does other long-form interviews, such as Tout le monde en parle.
Mr. Carney, who has been working on improving his French, made it through the interview without any linguistic blunders. The Liberal Leader was asked about several gaffes he’s had recently, including messing up the name of a Quebec candidate. Mr. Carney said he was “far from perfect.”
“Obviously, my French is far from perfect,” he added.
The Liberal Leader’s appearance on Sunday was the first time he took questions from the media since Thursday. Mr. Carney paused campaigning on Friday to convene the cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations in Ottawa after Mr. Trump’s pause on global tariffs.
Mr. Carney, who was asked whether he finds being prime minister more fun than being a candidate, said being prime minister is easier because he has experience handling crises.
“Being a candidate, it’s different. You give speeches, you shake hands, you look at cows,” he said.
The Liberal Leader’s campaign has focused heavily on the economic and political challenges Canada faces with the United States. In response to a question on what makes him different from his predecessor, Mr. Carney said he shares the same values as former prime minister Justin Trudeau, but he places more emphasis on the economy.
“Mr. Trudeau was less interested in that,” Mr. Carney said, adding that he wouldn’t be running for office had it not been for the crisis the country is facing.
“Life is more simple in the private sector,” he said.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh appeared on the program last weekend. Federal leaders will face off in French- and English-language debates on Wednesday and Thursday this week at Radio-Canada’s studio in Montreal.