News Releases
November 30, 2005
Broadcasting Consortium Announces Dates, New Formats for Party Leaders Election Debates
Ottawa - The broadcasting consortium representing Canada's largest television networks today announced that it has reached an agreement with the four major federal political parties for a new Election Debate format for the current federal election campaign. The new format will feature an increase in the number of Leaders debates compared with 2004 - including, for the first time, debates from western Canada - as well as improvements designed to enhance the quality of the discussion.
Specifically, the new format will have two sets of formal Election Debates involving the Party Leaders to be held before and after the holiday break.
The first set will be held in Vancouver. On Thursday, December 15, it will be the French-language debate, followed the next day (December 16) by the English-language debate. Both debates will be broadcast between 8pm ET - 10pm ET (5pm PT - 7pm PT).
The second set of debates, to be held in Gatineau or Montreal, will be in the final stage of the campaign. On Monday, January 9, there will be the English-language debate, followed the next day, January 10, by the French-language debate. Again, the debates will be broadcast between 8pm ET - 10pm ET (5pm PT - 7pm PT).
The Vancouver debate will include videotaped questions for the Leaders from viewers across the country. In the past, there has never been more than one set of debates.
The new formula emerged from discussions involving the networks (CBC/Radio-Canada, CTV, Global Television and TVA) and the parties (Liberals, Conservatives, Bloc Quebecois and the NDP).
Discussions began last Spring on how the Canadian Election Debate pattern can be improved. In 2004, there were criticisms about the limited time available to debating the key campaign issues, and there were complaints from viewers that constant interruptions by the leaders made the debates often confusing and difficult to follow.
Network representatives believe this new formula will deal with these issues: there will be twice the number of debates, including two from western Canada. The format, although encouraging genuine debate, will prevent confusing cross-talk among the leaders. And more time will be devoted to the discussion of issues.
The moderators for the four debates will be the following:
- French-language Debate, Vancouver, December 15: Dominique Poirier (current affairs host, Radio-Canada)
- English-language Debate, Vancouver, December 16: Trina McQueen (broadcaster)
- English-language Debate, Gatineau or Montreal, January 9: Steve Paikin (current affairs host, TV Ontario)
- French-language Debate, Gatineau or Montreal, January 10: Sophie Thibault (news anchor, TVA)
For more information please contact:
Jason MacDonald
Director, Public Relations & Operations
CBC/Radio-Canada
(613) 288-6239
