OTTAWA — In a surprising turn of events, the Leaders’ Debate Commission has rescinded its invitation to the Green Party of Canada, excluding them from the upcoming federal leaders’ debates. This decision was announced just hours before the French-language debate scheduled for April 16, 2025, in Montreal, and one day before the English-language debate on April 17.
The Commission stated that the Green Party no longer meets the participation criteria due to its intentional reduction in the number of candidates running in the federal election. According to the Commission, this move undermines the integrity of the debates and the interests of the voting public.
In order to participate in the debates, parties must meet at least two of the following three conditions: having at least one seat in the House of Commons, having at least four percent national support 28 days prior to the election, or having endorsed candidates in at least 90 percent of federal ridings. However, by the deadline set by the debate commission, the Green Party was polling at less than three percent and had only 232 candidates running, significantly below the threshold needed.
Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault had previously indicated that the party's decision to withdraw candidates was strategic, aimed at preventing the Conservatives from winning in certain ridings. He had planned to make his leadership debate debut during the events, marking a significant moment for the party.
The Leaders’ Debates Commission, established in 2018, is responsible for organizing two debates during each general election. The exclusion of the Green Party means that for the first time in three federal elections, Elizabeth May will not be present to represent the party on the debate stage. Instead, the debates will feature Liberal Leader Mark Carney, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.
The French-language debate will be moderated by Patrice Roy from Radio-Canada and will cover significant themes such as the cost of living, energy and climate, the trade war, identity and sovereignty, and immigration and foreign affairs. The English-language debate will follow, moderated by TVO’s Steve Paikin.
Political analysts have noted that Carney’s French language skills will be under scrutiny during the debates, particularly after previous challenges he faced during the Liberal leadership race. Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University, pointed out that the focus of the campaign is more about who can stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump rather than linguistic capabilities.
Meanwhile, both Carney and Poilievre are expected to present themselves as approachable leaders. Barry McLaughlin, who has experience coaching leaders for debates, emphasized the importance of appearing reasonable and relatable to voters.
Health care, a significant concern for voters, will not be a topic of discussion during the debates, despite a recent poll indicating it as a priority. NDP Leader Singh has stated he will bring up health care promises throughout the events.
The commission’s decision to drop the Green Party has raised questions about the criteria for participation and how they are enforced. The Green Party had initially qualified based on the number of candidates it endorsed, but the strategic withdrawal of candidates led to its disqualification.
Rod Leggett, a spokesperson for the Green Party, highlighted issues with local Elections Canada employees that contributed to the party's difficulties in getting candidates nominated. He stated that some volunteers faced intimidation, which impacted their ability to run.
As the debates approach, all eyes will be on the remaining leaders as they prepare to engage in discussions that could shape the political landscape leading up to the general election on April 28, 2025. The exclusion of the Green Party adds another layer of complexity to an already charged political environment, raising concerns about representation and the voices that will be heard in the upcoming debates.
With the stakes high, the debates promise to be a pivotal moment for the leaders vying for the Prime Minister's office, as they navigate voter expectations and present their visions for Canada’s future.
