The federal party leaders are set to hit the debate stage this week, each preparing to pitch their plan for the country just days ahead of when many Canadians will cast their votes in advanced polls.
Liberal Leader Mark Carney; Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre; NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet will face off in the French-language debate on April 16, with the English debate taking place on April 17.
Each leader qualified for the debates based on meeting two of three criteria set by the federal debates commission, either by holding a seat in the House of Commons when the election was called, having a national polling average of at least four per cent by March 31, or have candidates endorsed in at least 90 per cent of federal ridings 28 days before the election.
The Green Party’s invitation was rescinded by the federal debates commission on Wednesday, saying “the Commission concludes that because the Green Party of Canada has intentionally reduced the number of candidates running in the election for strategic reasons, it no longer meets the intention of the participation criteria to justify inclusion in the leaders’ debates.”
Where and when can I watch the debates?
Global News will be streaming each debate live on globalnews.ca and the Global News YouTube page. The English-language debate will also be streamed live on whichever platform you use to watch Global News.
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The French debate will begin at 6 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, April 16, while the English debate takes place at 7 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, April 17.
The time for the French-language debate was changed after the Bloc Quebecois and NDP raised concerns about the debate overlapping with a Montreal Canadiens NHL playoff-qualifying game on the same night.
What issues will be debated?
Each debate will focus on five themes, though there are some differences.
The French-language debate, moderated by Radio-Canada’s Patrice Roy, will tackle the cost of living, energy and climate, the ongoing trade war with the U.S., identity and sovereignty, and immigration and foreign affairs.
TVO’s Steve Paikin, who will host the English-language debate, will question the leaders on affordability and the cost of living, energy and climate, leading in a crisis, public safety and security, and tariffs and threats to Canada.
How will the debates work?
Both of the debates are being broadcast live from the Maison de Radio-Canada atrium in Montreal.
Each debate will be 120 minutes without commercials, with an “emphasis” on open debate and questions asked by a single moderator.
The independent commission that organizes the debates says in a release that each theme includes a number of questions within to provide “an opportunity for substantive discussion on policy issues and party platforms.”
The commission also notes that the set design has been made to focus on the leaders and content while allowing interventions by the moderator and encouraging interactions between the leaders.
What if I can't watch the debates live?
If you can’t watch the debates live, don’t worry — Global News will feature full coverage of the key moments and biggest takeaways of the nights.
You can check back on globalnews.ca for more on what you need to know.
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