MONTREAL – Leaders from three of the four main Quebec political parties have confirmed their interest in having an electoral debate in English.
The responses have come after a consortium of English-language media in Quebec officially invited party leaders to take part in a televised debate in English in the run-up to the next Quebec provincial election.
News directors from CBC, CJAD, CTV, Global News and The Gazette reached out to the leaders of all four main provincial parties: Philippe Couillard of the Quebec Liberal Party, Quebec Solidaire’s Françoise David, François Legault from the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) and the Parti Quebecois’ Pauline Marois.
“We feel strongly that English speaking Quebecers deserve an opportunity to hear directly from you in their language,” said the invitation.
CAQ leader François Legault told reporters on Monday that he would love a chance to debate in front of the English community.
Premier Pauline Marois, the leader of the Parti Quebecois, has not yet confirmed whether she would participate.
READ MORE: Increasing anglo angst as election call draws near
If all four leaders agree to take part, the 90-minute debate would take place during the last two weeks leading up to the election and would be broadcast live on television, radio and online.
During the 2012 Quebec election campaign, Marois ruled out the possibility of debating her political rivals in English.
“I think I am not enough comfortable in English,” she said, in English, at the time.
Although Marois felt her English was not fluent enough, she did not rule out the possibility of speaking English well enough to take part one day.
“Maybe in the long-term, maybe it will be possible.”
Since being elected, the premier has spoken at public events and press conferences in English and took part in an in-depth interview with the BBC while visiting Scotland in 2013.
READ MORE: Marois says there’s no insecurity for anglophones in Quebec
She has also spoken of her support of the English-speaking community in Quebec, recently saying that she had “great respect for the Anglo-Quebecers.”
During the federal election debates, the four leaders debate in both French and English.
Read the full letter sent to Quebec provincial party leaders below.
The major English media of Quebec have formed a consortium, and would like to invite you to an English provincial leaders’ debate.
We understand you wish to have only one televised debate in this campaign.
However, we feel strongly that English speaking Quebecers deserve an opportunity to hear directly from you in their language.
Our consortium includes: CBC News, CTV News, Global News, CJAD, and The Gazette.
We propose a 90-minute debate to be broadcast live on all our platforms: television, radio and online.
CBC News Network and CTV News Channel have also expressed interest in carrying the broadcast live to all Canadians.
We suggest the debate be held during the last two weeks of the campaign.
The exact timing, format and venue can be determined once we have your commitment.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Mary-Jo Barr
News Director, CBC Quebec
Jed Kahane
News Director, CTV Montreal
Karen MacDonald
News Director, Global Quebec
Chris Bury
Program and News Director, CJAD
David Johnston
Editorial Page Editor, The Gazette
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