Highlights from the final leaders’ debate

Friday night’s French-language leaders debate on TVA covered a broad range of topics from the environment to the economy to, of course, the niqab.

The leaders all landed some solid hits on their opponents. But a few moments stood out, whether because they were especially revelatory, tense or just plain hilarious.

The niqab … and abortion?

A discussion of the niqab and whether a new Canadian should be permitted to wear it while taking the citizenship oath was inevitable in this debate. Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe (who is against the donning of the garment) came out swinging, pointing out to Conservative leader Stephen Harper that “this should have been figured out a long time ago” and that it seems odd that Harper’s party is only dealing with it now.

NDP leader Tom Mulcair said that while he is personally uncomfortable with the niqab being worn during the oath (a line he has used several times this week), Ottawa must defer to the courts, which have ruled that the government cannot force women to remove it.

Both Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau tried to pivot the issue into a larger discussion of issues related to women’s rights, and, at one point, Trudeau even raised the question of abortion. Harper was asked to clarify whether he is pro-choice or not, a question the Conservative leader did not answer directly. Harper then shut Mulcair down with a single, scathing retort that referenced the NDP candidates who have strayed from their party’s position on the niqab in recent days:

“You can’t even convince your own MPs on (the niqab debate),” he quipped.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You can't even convince your own MPs on (the niqab debate)," he quipped.

Canada Post

Unlike the niqab, the issue of home delivery of mail probably wasn’t high on the list of expected topics on Friday. But it did come up, with Harper defending the decision to end door-to-door delivery. Duceppe seized the opportunity to attack Harper for Canada Post’s failure to consult with municipalities before moving to community mailboxes. He then mentioned his own mother, stating that she, like many seniors, would have a hard time getting her mail. Harper didn’t seem to know quite what to say to that.

“Mon Amour”

Even JustinTrudeau had to chuckle at his own slip-of-the-tongue during an exchange with Duceppe. Instead of referring to Duceppe as “my friend” (mon ami), Trudeau instead called him “my love” (mon amour), stunning Duceppe for a moment. Trudeau quickly recovered, joking that his wife would probably be angry when he got home.

The mysterious case of Art Carney

Gilles Duceppe referenced “Art Carney” three times before everyone finally figured out who he was talking about. Trudeau politely corrected him after the third gaffe, reminding Duceppe that the name of the former governor of the Bank of Canada is, in fact, Mark Carney.