The start time of Wednesday’s French-language leaders’ debate has been changed from 8 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET after two federal party leaders requested it not clash with a potentially consequential Montreal Canadiens hockey game.
The change was announced Tuesday after the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois requested the debate be rescheduled rather than compete with what could be the Habs’ last chance to clinch a playoff spot.
Both parties expressed concerns that the hockey game, which starts at 7 p.m. ET, would distract viewers from the debate. In a later news release, Radio-Canada said it had decided, in partnership with the Leaders’ Debates Commission, to move the event.
That way, the release said, viewers won’t “miss this crucial moment of the election campaign” because they’re glued to what could be a decisive hockey match instead.
The sudden importance of the Montreal Canadiens hockey game Wednesday night had federal leaders recommending the rescheduling of the French leaders’ debate set for the same time. In the end, a change was made.
Earlier in the day Tuesday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said in a news release that failing to reschedule forces people to choose between the debate and a “must-win” game.
“This kind of political discussion shouldn’t compete with something that means so much to so many,” he said.
After the debate was rescheduled, the NDP’s campaign director, Jonathan Gauvin, said it was the right decision “and we encourage people to listen to this important debate for the future of our country.”
The debate falls on the same night the Montreal Canadiens will be playing their final game of the regular season.
In 2011, then Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe led the charge to reschedule the French-language debate to avoid conflict with a Canadiens-Bruins playoff game.
This time around, Bloc Leader Yves François-Blanchet said he also put in a request to reschedule with the Leaders’ Debates Commission.
Once the debate was rescheduled, his party issued a statement, saying it is pleased with the decision.
“It is of particular importance for Quebec democracy and we hope that as many Quebecers as possible will be able to follow [the debate],” the statement says.
The Conservative Party said it was consulted about the time change and agreed.
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves François-Blanchet is asked about the Montreal Canadiens playing a game that could clinch them a playoff spot the same evening as the French-language federal election debate. In 2011, then Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe led the charge to reschedule the French-language debate to avoid conflict with a Canadiens-Bruins playoff game. Blanchet said he would get in touch with the Leaders’ Debates Commission to float the idea rescheduling this year’s debate, too.
Before the decision was made, Liberal Leader Mark Carney told reporters he will “focus on transparency to inform those Canadians who choose to watch the debate instead of the Habs game.”
The Montreal Canadiens missed another opportunity to clinch a playoff spot with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Monday.
After Monday’s loss, the Canadiens have 89 points, four more than the Columbus Blue Jackets, with one game remaining Wednesday at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Blue Jackets — the only other team still in the wild-card hunt — have two games left, starting with a visit to Philadelphia on Tuesday.
If Columbus fails to win both its remaining games in regulation or Montreal earns at least one point against Carolina, the Canadiens advance to the post-season with a first-round series against the Washington Capitals.
The last time the Habs reached the playoffs was 2021.
Hockey is important, but so is the debate, said Antonine Yaccarini, a political analyst and former political staffer at the provincial level. The hockey game will likely get more attention, but it’s also complicated to reschedule, she said.
“It’s a lot of work to put together. A lot of negotiations with the political parties,” said Yaccarini. “So it has to be a very good reason to be moved.”
