As the Canadian federal election approaches, party leaders are gearing up for critical debates that could shape voter opinions just days before the polls open. Liberal Leader Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, and Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault will take the stage in two debates, one in French and one in English, scheduled for April 16 and 17, respectively.
The debates, organized by the federal debates commission, will be pivotal as they offer each leader a platform to present their vision for the country. Each leader qualified for the debates by meeting specific criteria: holding a seat in the House of Commons when the election was called, achieving a national polling average of at least four percent by March 31, or having candidates endorsed in at least 90 percent of federal ridings 28 days before the election.
The French-language debate will kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern on April 16, while the English-language debate will follow on April 17 at 7 p.m. Both events will be streamed live on Global News, allowing viewers to engage with the discussions from the comfort of their homes.
Viewers can expect a range of pressing issues to be on the agenda. The French debate, moderated by Patrice Roy of Radio-Canada, will focus on the cost of living, energy and climate change, the ongoing trade war with the U.S., identity and sovereignty, and immigration and foreign affairs. Meanwhile, the English debate, hosted by TVO’s Steve Paikin, will delve into affordability and the cost of living, energy and climate, leadership in a crisis, public safety and security, and tariffs and threats to Canada.
Both debates will be broadcast live from the Maison de Radio-Canada atrium in Montreal. Each session will last for 120 minutes, devoid of commercial interruptions, and will emphasize open debate with questions from a single moderator. The independent commission responsible for organizing the debates aims to foster substantive discussions on policy issues and party platforms.
For those unable to tune in live, Global News will provide comprehensive coverage of the key moments and takeaways from both debates on their website.
As the election date of April 28, 2025, draws near, voters in various ridings are preparing to cast their ballots. In the Simcoe-Grey riding, which includes Collingwood and The Blue Mountains, five candidates are vying for a seat: Terry Dowdall for the Conservatives, Bren Munro for the Liberals, Allan Kuhn for the Green Party, Jasleen Bains for the NDP, and Giorgio Mammoliti for the People’s Party of Canada.
Meanwhile, in the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound riding, the candidates include Alex Ruff for the Conservatives, the incumbent MP; Anne Marie Watson for the Liberals; Christopher Neudorf for the NDP; Natasha Akiwenzie for the Green Party; Anne Gillies for the United Party of Canada; and Pavel Smolko for the People’s Party of Canada.
Election day will see polls open for 12 hours, with Collingwood area polling stations operating from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Advanced polling days are set for April 18, 19, 20, and 21, 2025. Eligible voters should have received a voter information card by April 11, 2025, detailing where and when to vote.
Voters who did not receive a card can check their registration status online or by calling 1-800-463-6868. It is essential for voters to bring their voter information card and identification to the polling station. For those without a card, voting is still possible by providing two pieces of ID or a written statement from someone who can vouch for their identity.
As the election nears, the focus will be on how the candidates address the concerns of their constituents and how effectively they communicate their policies during the debates. With significant issues at stake, including the economy, climate change, and national security, the upcoming debates are expected to be a turning point in the election campaign.
