The Green Party of Canada will not have a voice in the two upcoming federal election leaders’ debates after the party’s invitation was rescinded.
The Leaders’ Debate Commission, which organizes the debates, rescinded the invitation after the Green Party had reduced the number of candidates it was running in the April 28 general election.
The commission originally invited the Green Party, which is co-led by Jonathan Pedneault and Elizabeth May, to participate in the debates as the party had endorsed candidates in at least 90 per cent of all federal ridings.
According to the Toronto Star, the Green Party is running candidates in only 68 per cent of ridings.
Pedneault told CBC ߲ݴý the party had pulled about 15 candidates to not split the left vote in ridings where Conservatives might win. Other candidates also failed to meet the Elections Canada requirement of getting at least 100 signatures of electors in their riding.
“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,” the commission said in a statement.
“Whether or not the Green Party of Canada intended to run 343 candidates, it has since made the strategic decision to reduce the number of candidates running, meaning that voters no longer have the opportunity to vote for those candidates.”
The commission said deliberately reducing the number of candidates is inconsistent with what its criteria deems a viable party.
“The commission concludes that the inclusion of the leader of the Green Party of Canada in these circumstances would undermine the integrity of the debates and the interests of the voting public,” the commission said.
Debate schedule
The French leaders’ debate is on Wednesday, April 16, starting at 6 p.m.
The English leaders’ debate is on Thursday, April 17, starting at 7 p.m.
The debates will air live on TV or can be streamed live on YouTube as well as through other providers, including our sister publication, the Toronto Star.
TV providers
French leaders’ debate
The French debate will air on:
- APTN
- Eurovision - EBU member platforms
- Ici Radio-Canada Télé
- Reuters broadcast clients
- TFO
English interpretation will be available on:
- CBC ߲ݴý Network
- City߲ݴý 24/7
- CPAC TV
- C-SPAN
English leaders’ debate
The English debate will air on:
- APTN
- BNN Bloomberg
- CBC Main Network
- CBC ߲ݴý Network
- CHCH
- City߲ݴý 24/7
- CPAC TV
- CP24
- C-SPAN
- CTV Main Network
- CTV ߲ݴý Channel
- Eurovision - EBU member platforms
- Global
- Mountain Lake PBS — replay on Saturday, April 26, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Reuters broadcast clients
- TVO
Several providers will have a French interpretation.
Interpretation of both debates will also be available in other languages through various media outlets. For a full schedule, visit the .
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