The French-language federal leaders’ debate scheduled for Wednesday will take place two hours earlier to avoid conflicting with a Montreal Canadiens hockey game, organizers announced Tuesday.
CBC/Radio-Canada moved the debate to 6 p.m. instead of 8 p.m., allowing viewers to watch both the political forum and the Canadiens’ game against Carolina starting at 7 p.m.
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet first requested the change, followed by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh who argued the clash would impact viewership.
“This scheduling conflict makes the political system look out of touch,” Singh said, noting voters shouldn’t have to choose “between a critical democratic debate and cheering on the Habs.”
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The broadcaster cited “Canadians’ passion for hockey” in making the adjustment, noting in a statement it would allow voters to “catch this crucial moment in the election campaign” while also watching the hockey game.
Similar schedule adjustments occurred in 2011 when a debate was moved due to a Canadiens playoff game.
The debate will also be notably short by one party, after the Green Party was disinvited from the debate after the party intentionally reduced the number of candidates running in the federal election, resulting in the party no longer meeting participation criteria.
The English-language debate remains scheduled for Thursday, with voting set for April 28.
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