The Leaders’ Debates Commission has announced the dates and details for the upcoming federal election debates, with the French-language debate scheduled for April 16 and the English-language debate on April 17. Both events will take place at Radio-Canada’s headquarters in Montreal, offering Canadians a critical opportunity to assess party leaders before the April 28 election day.
Debate Details
- French Debate (April 16, 8 p.m. EDT): Moderated by Patrice Roy, anchor of Le Téléjournal and En direct on Radio-Canada.
- English Debate (April 17, 7 p.m. EDT): Hosted by Steve Paikin, longtime moderator of TVO’s The Agenda.
Who Will Participate?
The commission will confirm the invited leaders on April 1, based on strict eligibility criteria. To qualify, a party must meet at least two of the following conditions:
- Have at least one MP in the House of Commons when the election is called.
- Hold 4% or more national support in major polls.
- Run candidates in 90% of ridings 28 days before the election.
In the 2021 debates, participants included Justin Trudeau (Liberal), Erin O’Toole (Conservative), Jagmeet Singh (NDP), Yves-François Blanchet (Bloc Québécois), and Annamie Paul (Green Party). This year’s lineup is expected to feature similar contenders, though polling shifts could influence eligibility.
How to Watch
The debates will be broadcast live on major networks and streamed online, ensuring broad accessibility. With key issues like the economy, housing, and healthcare likely to dominate, the events could prove pivotal in a tight race.
As the campaign intensifies, these debates will serve as a defining moment for leaders to sway undecided voters—and for Canadians to weigh their choices ahead of the April 28 ballot.
