Frank Baylis, a Liberal leadership candidate and longtime party activist, has taken a firm stance against the current approach of Canadian leadership in dealing with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Baylis, who successfully ran under the Liberal banner in 2015, did not re-offer in 2019 but has now emerged as the first candidate to announce his intention to replace Justin Trudeau. With a robust background in business, Baylis emphasizes his experience in negotiating contracts with American counterparts as a key asset.
Baylis's business acumen is underscored by his successful sale of Baylis Medical Company Inc. to Boston Scientific Corporation in 2022 for an impressive $1.75 billion. He argues that Canadian premiers have made "mistake after mistake" in their dealings with Trump, criticizing them for being too lenient. He advocates for a more assertive approach, stating that a government led by him would handle Trump differently.
“We’re missing leadership from A to Z on this and when I’m prime minister, that’s all going to stop,” – Frank Baylis
The leadership hopeful highlights his extensive experience in managing negotiations with "Donald Trump types," asserting that the only effective way to manage such figures is with resilience and determination. He believes that Trump's tactics are less about negotiation and more akin to coercion.
“Whether we like it or not, the Americans have put as a president a highly aggressive bully of a man, who’s a businessman,” – Frank Baylis
“This is not a negotiation. This is really about a shakedown,” – Frank Baylis
Baylis's perspective is born from years of direct dealings with aggressive business personalities, which he views as preparation for navigating diplomatic waters with leaders like Trump. He contends that standing firm and refusing to make concessions is the only viable strategy.
“The Donald Trump types I’ve met many times, so this is not new to me,” – Frank Baylis
As part of his campaign, Baylis will participate in a series of televised debates in Montreal on Monday and Tuesday. These debates offer an opportunity for him to further articulate his vision and challenge the current political approach toward U.S.-Canada relations.
