The priority is to “defend Canada” before the leadership race, says François-Philippe Champagne

Minister François-Philippe Champagne affirmed Thursday that his priority is to resolve the issue of Donald Trump’s threats to increase American tariffs and not the race for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada (PLC).

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Although the Liberal MP is considering entering the race, he considers that his government has much more pressing concerns at the moment.

“For me, if you put them in order of priority, it’s [avant tout] defend the interests of Canada, then the leadership race and my personal ambitions, he indicated in an interview on Mario Dumont’s show.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry deplores the “very short period of time” between the multiple threats of tariffs and the announcement of the leadership race.

“We are at a crossroads,” he illustrated. There are important decisions to be made.”

Champagne, the man for the job?

The deputy considers that he has the experience and expertise to face the threats of the president-elect due to his former position within the PLC.

“For part of Mr. Trump’s term, I served as foreign minister. We know how it works,” he stressed.

He held this position from November 20, 2019 to January 11, 2021, until the end of Mr. Trump’s first term.

“He’s someone who likes to play on the balance of power,” he said.

The minister nevertheless considers that his “jokes” have lasted long enough.

“It’s time to raise our voice, constructively, but really to send a strong signal,” he said. Because the president’s rhetoric bothers me, honestly.”

Mr. Champagne believes that Mr. Trump must show more respect to Canada, which is his biggest commercial client.

“We buy more from the Americans than China, Japan, the United Kingdom and France combined,” he stressed.

It goes without saying that Americans need Canadian products just as much.

“What we are seeing now is unprecedented in Canadian history,” said the minister. We must restore the balance of power.”

Facing the Tories

The next leader of the PLC will have the difficult task of rebuilding his party between now and the general elections. At the time of writing, the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) dominates all voting intention polls. According to projections from January 5 by Qc125, 45% of Canadians would vote for Pierre Poilievre.

Mr. Champagne is not frightened by what he considers a “great challenge.”

“It’s also a great opportunity because […] “it will give the opportunity to ask questions of the opposition since Mr. Poilievre, in recent months, has had a good time,” he explained.

According to him, the Conservative leader is only criticizing the current government.

“Criticizing is easy. Being a stage manager, everyone can do that, underlined François-Philippe Champagne. What would you do in the circumstances? What is your vision for Canada?

Watch the full interview in the video above.