The start time of the debate of the French leaders in French on Wednesday has changed from 8 pm to 6 pm et after two leaders of the Federal Party requested that it does not face a game of hockey of Montreal Canadiens potentially consistent.
The change was announced on Tuesday after the new Democratic Party and the Quebécois block requested that the debate be reprogrammed instead of competing with what could be the last chance of Habs to ensure a place in the playoffs.
Both parties expressed concern that the hockey game, which begins at 7 pm et, would distract the debate viewers. In a subsequent press release, Radio-Canadá said he had decided, in association with the leadership commission, move the event.
In this way, according to the statement, the spectators will not “miss this crucial moment of the electoral campaign” because they are attached to what could be a decisive hockey party.
The sudden importance of Montreal Canadiens’s hockey game on Wednesday night had federal leaders who recommended the reprogramming of the French leaders debate established by the same time. In the end, a change was made.
Early on Tuesday, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said in a press release that he does not reprogram forces people to choose between the debate and a “obligatory” game.
“This type of political discussion should not compete with something that means so much for many,” he said.
After the debate was rescheduled, the NDP campaign director, Jonathan Gauvin, said it was the right decision “and encouraged people to listen to this important debate for the future of our country.”
The debate falls the same night that the Montreal Canadiens will play their last game of the regular season.
In 2011, then the leader of Blobécois, Gilles Duceppe, directed the charge of rescheduing the debate in French to avoid conflicts with a Canadiens-Bruins playoff game.
This time, the leader of the Yves François-Blanchet block said he also submitted a request to reprogram with the debates commission of the leaders.
Once the debate was rescheduled, his party issued a statement, saying that he is satisfied with the decision.
“It is of particular importance for Quebec democracy and we hope that as much as possible [the debate]”, says the statement.
The conservative party said it was consulted about the change of time and agreed.
He asks the leader of Bloc Québécois, Yves François-Blanchet, about the Canadians of Montreal who play a game that could get a place in the playoffs the same night as the federal debate in federal elections in French. In 2011, then the leader of Blobécois, Gilles Duceppe, directed the charge of rescheduing the debate in French to avoid conflicts with a Canadiens-Bruins playoff game. Blanchet said he would contact the leaders’ debates commission to float the idea that this year’s debate also reprogram.
Before making the decision, liberal leader Mark Carney told reporters that “it will focus on transparency to inform those Canadians to choose to see the debate instead of the Habs game.”
The Montreal Canadiens lost another opportunity to ensure a playoff place with a defeat for the 4-3 shooting against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.
After Monday’s defeat, the Canadiens have 89 points, four more than the Columbus Blue Jackets, with a remaining game on Wednesday at home against Los Carolina Hurricanes.
To the Blue Jackets, the only other team that is still in the hunting of wild cards, they have two games, starting with a visit to Philadelphia on Tuesday.
If Columbus cannot win its remaining games in regulation or Montreal wins at least one point against Carolina, the Canadiens advance to the postseason with a first round series against Washington’s capitals.
The last time the Habs arrived at the playoffs were 2021.
Hockey is important, but so is the debate, said Antonine Yaccarini, political analyst and former political employee at the provincial level. The hockey game will probably receive more attention, but it is also complicated to reprogram, he said.
“It’s a lot of work to assemble. Many negotiations with political parties,” said Yaccarini. “So it has to be a very good reason to be transferred.”
