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English and French dates

Voters can learn more about the major parties contesting the April 28 election by watching the English federal election leaders’ debate April 17 (English). The French debate was held on April 16.

The , an independent and impartial public body mandated to organize debates in Canada’s federal general elections, has set the for this year’s debates.

Late time change for French debate

There was a late time change for the French debate originally scheduled for April 16 at 8 p.m. at the Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal. The debate was held two hours earlier at 6 p.m., the .

The time change was to avoid conflict with a Montreal Canadiens home game Wednesday at 7 p.m. versus the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canadiens beat the Hurricanes 4-2 to clinch the final NHL Eastern Conference playoff berth.

Who will moderate the debates?

In its aim to produce the most informative and effective debates, the debate will use one moderator “and a simple and flexible format that encourages meaningful exchanges between the leaders,” according to the commission’s .

Steve Paikin, host of TVO’s flagship current affairs program, “The Agenda with Steve Paikin,” will moderate the English debate. Radio-Canada journalist Patrice Roy moderated the French debate.

What parties are represented?

Leaders of the following parties are expected to participate in both debates.

• Bloc Québécois — Yves-Francois Blanchet
• Conservative Party of Canada — Pierre Poilievre
• Liberal Party of Canada — Mark Carney
• New Democratic Party — Jagmeet Singh

To be eligible for inclusion, each party needed to meet two of the following three criteria: representation in the House of Commons on the date the general election was called; a level of national support of at least four per cent; and endorsed candidates in at least 90 per cent of federal ridings 28 days before the election date.

The People’s Party of Canada did not satisfy the first two conditions, the commission stated, and therefore its leader was not invited to participate.

In an , the commission said it has also rescinded an invitation to the Green Party of Canada.

How to watch the debates

You can also  the English debate from CBC April 17 at 7 p.m.

CBC carried the French debate on air at 6 p.m. April 16 and via on its YouTube channel.

and are also expected to carry live election debate coverage on their respective YouTube channels.