Mark Carney's French is getting roasted after the debate — especially by anglos

With the federal election less than two weeks away, leaders from Canada's four main political parties faced off in the first of two debates on Wednesday evening, discussing key issues like trade, the cost of living, energy and climate, and immigration.

But for many viewers across the country, it was interim Prime Minister Mark Carney's French proficiency, not his policies, that ended up stealing the spotlight, drawing mixed reactions across social media.

Carney, who stepped into the role of Prime Minister following Justin Trudeau's resignation in March, left some viewers struggling to follow his remarks. And much of the criticism of his language skills was delivered in his own mother tongue.

"His French is terrible," one anglophone X user wrote less than an hour into the debate.

Another English-speaking Quebecer called it "a disgrace to this province."

"Clearly, the three candidates' lack of French language skills gives [Yves-Francois] Blanchet a clear advantage," a French-speaking user pointed out. "Carney is really struggling to express himself."

The word "painful" was also used to describe it.

Certain folks were more blunt in their approach. "Apprends à parler français, cr****!" someone else wrote.

Others, though, were kinder to Carney's attempts. Funnily enough, most of the replies praising the 60-year-old's efforts came from francophones.

"Mark Carney is doing very well in French so far. Nothing embarrassing, on the contrary," wrote Quebec radio host Maxim Larouche.

Another said Carney's French level is similar to that of Pierre Poilievre's — which may be a compliment, considering how long the latter has been in politics.

One viewer even went as far as calling his French "very good."

Luckily, Carney and some of the other party leaders are expected to be a bit more in their element Thursday night when they return to the stage for the English-language debate.

Canada's federal election is set for April 28, 2025. Not sure how or where to vote? Check out our complete voting guide here.