Leaders' TV debates set for mid-April

tiffiant

Leaders' TV debates set for mid-April
One debate in English, another in French
News1130 Staff Mar 31, 2011 09:53:17 AM
0    Related Stories

•More election debates the better, journalism professor says
•May excluded from leadership debate; fights familiar battle
OTTAWA (NEWS1130) - The dates have been set for the televised leaders' debates, with the Green Party noticeably absent from the lineup.

The broadcast consortium has announced the Ottawa-held debates will be on April 12th in English and on April 14th in French.

The group of television executives that controls the event made the final decision last night, saying they've heard all the pushback from those who think the Green Party should be in, but following "journalistic principles," only leaders who are represented in the House of Commons will be invited.

The broadcast consortium did agree to one small change in format, which is to allow at the beginning of each segment for a one-on-one between leaders, but rejected the idea of a one-on-one between Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.

The Green Party fought for a spot among the official parties in the 2008 leaders' debate, but was excluded this time.

Elizabeth May


Green Party leader Elizabeth May still hasn't been invited to the great TV debate. But exclusion appears to have an upside.

You can't buy this kind of publicity, from a front-page photo in today's Vancouver Sun to cartoon glory on the cover of the National Post. On Vancouver streets, local voters are still consumed by the story.

"I think it's drama that's usually found around politics," says one woman. "I think she should be entitled to voice her opinion."

A CBC National report suggests in 2008, each day May was excluded from the debate, she raised $100,000 for her party.

Political satirist Rick Mercer tweeted that Elizabeth May should be let into the debate because "she's the vinegar that brightens up the vegetables."