Election 2025: Here’s when the leaders’ debates will be held

The dates have been set for the party leaders’ debates in the upcoming federal election.

The Leaders’ Debates Commission said Monday the French-language debate will be held on April 16 at 8 p.m. eastern time, followed by the English-language debate on April 17 at 7 p.m.

Both debates will be held at the Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal and televised across the country, the independent commission said.

Party leaders will qualify for the debates if they meet two of three criteria:

• Their party held a seat in the House of Commons on the date the election was called;
• Have a national polling average of at least four per cent by March 31, or 28 days before the election date of April 28; and
• Have candidates endorsed in at least 90 per cent of federal ridings 28 days before the election

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The commission said it will announce which leaders have qualified for the debates on April 1.

TVO journalist Steve Paikin will moderate the English-language debate, while the French-language debate will be moderated by Radio-Canada journalist Patrice Roy.

Meanwhile, Quebec broadcaster TVA has cancelled its offer to stage its head-to head debate, known as Face-à-Face, after saying it would require the four main parties to contribute $75,000 each to cover production costs.

Mohammad Hussain, a spokesperson for the Liberal campaign, confirmed Monday that Liberal Leader Mark Carney will not take part in the proposed second French-language leaders debate.

Hussain did not provide a reason for Carney’s decision but said the Liberal leader is “delighted” to be able to take part in the two debates organized by the Leaders’ Debates Commission.

TVA  said in a French-language statement that it was “forced to cancel … due to the Liberal Party of Canada’s refusal to participate” and that the Conservatives, NDP and Bloc Québécois had all said they were ready to pay the fee to take part in the TVA debate.

—With files from the Canadian Press