As the Liberal Party of Canada prepares to choose its next leader, the race between Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould and three other candidates is shaping the party’s vision for the next federal election. While each candidate has put forward their own platform, the key to electoral success lies in synthesizing their strongest ideas into a compelling, broadly appealing agenda. A winning platform must balance economic growth, social progress, and national security while addressing the affordability crisis, and the looming challenges of global instability.

On the economic front, affordability remains the defining issue for Canadians. To address this, the Liberals should commit to a one-year reduction in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 5% to 4%, an idea championed by Gould, to stimulate consumer spending in a period of high living costs. At the same time, Freeland’s proposal to eliminate GST on new homes valued up to $1.5 million for first-time buyers would provide tangible relief in the housing market. Additionally, a corporate tax increase from 15% to 17% on profits exceeding $500 million, as suggested by Gould, would ensure large corporations contribute fairly to public finances. This combination of targeted tax relief for individuals and increased corporate contributions would position the Liberals as champions of middle-class economic stability.

On climate policy, the party must address growing frustration with the carbon tax. Rather than scrapping it entirely, Carney’s proposal to replace the consumer carbon tax with a system of incentives that reward environmentally responsible behavior—while maintaining a tax on large industrial emitters—offers a pragmatic way forward. This would ease financial pressure on households while keeping industry accountable. At the same time, Freeland’s plan to expand tax incentives for workers in the critical minerals sector would ensure Canada remains a leader in the transition to a green economy. Together, these policies would balance economic growth with meaningful environmental action.

In matters of national security and foreign policy, Canada must be prepared for an increasingly volatile world. Both Carney and Freeland have called for raising defense spending to NATO’s 2% GDP target by 2027. This commitment would not only modernize the military, but also improve troop retention through better wages and resources. Meanwhile, Freeland has put forward the most aggressive response to potential U.S. trade barriers under a second Trump presidency. Her strategy—imposing retaliatory tariffs on key U.S. exports, blocking American companies from Canadian federal contracts, and leading international coalitions against protectionism—signals a tough, pragmatic approach to safeguarding Canada’s economic interests.

Domestically, the Liberals must continue to build on their social policy successes. Freeland’s plan to create 100,000 additional $10-a-day childcare spots by mandating daycare facilities in new or renovated federal buildings is a smart, low-cost way to expand access to affordable childcare. Additionally, Gould’s push for employment insurance (EI) reform—expanding eligibility and modernizing the system—would provide crucial support to workers navigating an unpredictable job market. And while universal basic income (UBI) remains a politically ambitious goal, Gould’s advocacy for it signals a progressive vision that could shape the party’s long-term agenda.

Finally, government reform should not be overlooked. Freeland’s call to cap the federal Cabinet at 20 ministers would be a symbolic yet impactful step toward a leaner, more efficient government, countering criticisms of bloated bureaucracy. Coupled with her experience in crisis management and economic stewardship, this signals a commitment to governing with discipline and focus.

By integrating these proposals into a single, unified platform, the Liberals can present themselves as the party of pragmatic leadership in uncertain times. With economic relief for middle-class Canadians, a recalibrated climate strategy, a strong stance on national security, and forward-thinking social policies, they would be well-positioned to win the next general election. The challenge now is for the eventual leader to stitch these ideas into a coherent narrative—one that reassures anxious voters while offering a vision for Canada’s future that is both ambitious and attainable.