In many Indigenous traditions, speaking is an act of intention—each word weighed and each pause honored—and listening goes beyond sound to include careful observation. We take our time to speak and devote equal care to watching how those words are carried, for it is in gesture and posture that truth often reveals itself. Last night, I watched the federal leaders’ debate of April 17, 2025 in Montreal on mute, mindful that while words hold power, their weight is measured by the conviction behind them. Stripped of rhetoric, the candidates’ unspoken signals laid bare their confidence, discomfort, and authenticity.
Pierre Poilievre
At the outset, the Conservative leader appeared impeccably composed yet subtly nervous. Crisp, upright posture, steady gaze, and deliberate gestures signaled control and conviction, but his rapid blinking betrayed tension. As the debate progressed, he visibly loosened—shoulders relaxing, facial expressions softening, arms moving more freely—suggesting that initial formality gave way to human warmth. In those moments, you could feel him enjoying the debate.
Mark Carney
The former central banker carried himself with measured assurance: a straight back, hands clasped, eyes sweeping the panel. Yet his posture sometimes betrayed hesitation—subtle shoulder twitches, a fleeting touch to the nose, shifting weight from foot to foot, and glances down at his notes. These micro‑expressions hinted at internal calculation: confidence bolstered by expertise but tinged with detachment, as though he felt intellectually above the fray. At times, he even looked a little unsure.
Jagmeet Singh
From his very first gesture, the NDP leader seemed intent on commanding the stage. Wide hand sweeps and animated arm movements drew the eye, signaling both passion and a desire for inclusion. Early on, a slight tilt of the head and a tentative smile hinted at uncertainty—as if he wondered whether he truly belonged. But as he warmed to his campaign themes, his gestures grew bolder, his posture straighter, and his expressions more assured, reflecting a journey from self‑doubt to assertive conviction.
Yves‑François Blanchet
In stark contrast, the Bloc Québécois leader exuded placid nonchalance. Leaning on the podium with arms relaxed, he seemed almost indifferent to the outcome. His casual hand rests and the occasional shrug conveyed a “nothing to prove” attitude. Whether this was strategic confidence or genuine apathy is for viewers to decide, but his ease stood in marked relief against the others’ intensity and occasional nervousness.
Who emerged victorious?
Was it Poilievre’s controlled composure, Carney’s analytical reserve, Singh’s impassioned drive, or Blanchet’s laid‑back assurance? Silent observation leaves interpretation to each viewer. In the end, it may not be the words that sway us but the unspoken signals—posture, gesture, and gaze—that reveal where true conviction lies.
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