Four federal party leaders face off in French- and English-language debates on April 16 and 17 at Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal.
Participants include:
- Liberal Leader Mark Carney.
- Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
- Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet.
- NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.
Green Party co-leader Jonathan Pedneault had been slated to participate, but the commission organizing the debates rescinded his invitation Wednesday morning because the party is not fielding enough candidates.
The French debate, April 16
The French debate, moderated by Radio-Canada’s Patrice Roy, will take place on Wednesday, April 16 at 6 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast live with simultaneous interpretation on CBC News Network and livestreamed on the CBC News app, CBC’s YouTube channel, CBC Gem, the CBC News TikTok and on CBCNews.ca.
NOTE: The 6 p.m. ET French debate time was previously scheduled for later, but was changed at the request of federal party leaders to avoid a conflict with a potentially consequential Montreal Canadiens hockey game.
It will be offered in the following Indigenous languages: East Cree (Northern and Southern dialects), Innu (Eastern and Western dialects) and Inuktitut (Nunavik dialect). The debate will be simultaneously translated into American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ), and offered with described video and closed captioning.
The English debate, April 17
The English-language debate, moderated by TVOntario’s Steve Paikin, is on Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. ET on CBC-TV, CBC News Network and livestreamed on CBC News, including the CBC News app, CBC’s YouTube channel, CBC Gem, the CBC News TikTok and CBCNews.ca. You may also watch the rebroadcast at 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT on CBC News Network and CBC Gem.
It will be offered in the following Indigenous languages: Plains Cree (Y dialect), Inuktitut (South Baffin dialect) and Ojibway (Western dialect). The debate will be simultaneously translated into ASL and LSQ, and offered with described video and closed captioning.
TV and streaming
CBC News will bring you special coverage and analysis leading up to and following both debates.
On Wednesday, David Cochrane hosts a special edition of Power & Politics with chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, live from Montreal, from 4-6 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.
On Thursday, Cochrane again hosts a special edition of Power & Politics with Barton in Montreal from 5-7 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.
CBC News Morning Live with Heather Hiscox will be on location in Montreal on April 17. Watch on CBC News Network beginning at 6 a.m. ET.
On both nights, CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault will host CBC’s post-debate analysis, as well as The National from Montreal.
CBC News Network is free for the remainder of the federal election campaign. Watch Canada’s number-one news network through your cable provider, on CBC Gem, cbcnews.ca or on the CBC News app. Stay with Canada’s breaking news network for all the latest news on the federal election.
CBC Radio
Susan Bonner and Piya Chattopadhyay will bring you full coverage of the English-language debate, along with analysis and the leaders’ Q&A sessions with reporters following the debate. That’s Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. ET on CBC Radio and the CBC News app.
Stay tuned after for a special edition of Cross Country Checkup beginning at approximately 10:30 p.m. ET. Ian Hanomansing takes your calls to hear your reactions to the debate, with just over 10 days until Canadians vote in this crucial election.
