Before the schedule change, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh argued that the French-language debate should not clash with the important Canadiens game. (The Canadian Press)
The French-language leaders’ debate scheduled for Wednesday will now start at 6 p.m. ET, instead of 8 p.m. This change comes after two federal party leaders requested a time adjustment to avoid conflicting with an important Montreal Canadiens hockey game.
The request was made by the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Bloc Québécois, who feared that the hockey game, starting at 7 p.m., could distract viewers from the debate. The game is crucial for the Canadiens, as it may be their last chance to secure a playoff spot. Radio-Canada, in cooperation with the Leaders' Debates Commission, decided to reschedule the debate to ensure viewers could follow both events.
In a statement, Radio-Canada said the new timing would allow viewers to watch the debate without missing this key moment of the election campaign due to the hockey game. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh supported the change, saying that people should not have to choose between watching the debate or the "must-win" game. Singh stressed that political discussions should not compete with something so important to many Canadians.
After the rescheduling, the NDP’s campaign director, Jonathan Gauvin, expressed his approval, calling it the right decision. He encouraged people to watch the debate, which he described as crucial for Canada's future.
This shift mirrors a similar situation from 2011, when Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe pushed for the French-language debate to be rescheduled to avoid clashing with a Canadiens playoff game against the Bruins. This time, Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet also requested the change, which was granted. His party issued a statement expressing satisfaction with the decision, emphasizing its importance for Quebec’s democracy. They hope many Quebecers will be able to follow the debate.
The Conservative Party was consulted about the time change and agreed to the decision. Before the final decision was made, Liberal Leader Mark Carney told reporters that he would focus on transparency to inform Canadians who choose to watch the debate over the hockey game.
The Montreal Canadiens are facing a tough battle to clinch a playoff spot. After a 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, the team needs at least one point from their final game against the Carolina Hurricanes. They currently have 89 points, four ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who still have two games remaining. If the Canadiens win or the Blue Jackets lose, the Canadiens will secure a spot in the playoffs, with a first-round series against the Washington Capitals.
Antonine Yaccarini, a political analyst and former political staffer, acknowledged the challenge of rescheduling the debate. She noted that while the hockey game may attract more attention, changing the debate’s timing requires careful coordination and negotiations with the political parties involved. "It has to be a very good reason to be moved," she said.
