TV debates: May, Layton, Duceppe, Dion excluded
The Canadian Press*
OTTAWA — Green party head Elizabeth May, NDP leader Jack Layton, BQ leader Gilles Duceppe, and Liberal Leader Stephane Dion have all been shut out of the televised leaders’ debates after the Conservative party shunned their inclusion.
TV network officials hinted that the Conservative leader would otherwise pull out of the showcase election event, set for Ottawa on Oct. 1 and 2.
“The (network) consortium approached the party to explore the possibility of including the other parties in all or part of the leaders’ debates,” spokesman Jason MacDonald said.
“However, the party opposed their inclusion and it became clear that if the other parties were included, there would be no leaders’ debates.
“In the interest of Canadians, the consortium has determined that it is better to broadcast the debates with the one major party leader, rather than not at all.”
The nationally televised event is run by Canada’s private networks as an umbrella group that decides who takes part. The consortium includes CBC, Radio Canada, CTV, Global and TVA.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Monday that May’s inclusion would in essence allow a second Liberal candidate to participate.
He said May’s platform is similar to Dion’s and that she will ultimately endorse the Liberals. And the Liberals are so similar to his own that Dion would ultimately endorse the Conservatives.
May, Layton, Duceppe, and Dion threatened to go to court over Monday’s decision, accusing the TV networks of “old boy” tactics as they squarely blamed Harper for there exclusion.
“I think Mr. Harper’s role was determinative,” May said in an interview. “He was the only one making the (public) case that we were not allowed to participate.
“In the interest of fairness … and a full and fair election, the other parties will seek the guidance of the Federal Court in terms of … how manipulated the public airwaves can be by the objection of a prime minister who doesn’t want to face us in the debate.”
In the past, the courts and federal radio-television regulator have washed their hands of the matter, saying it’s up to the broadcasters to decide who can participate in an event that can change the course of election campaigns.
The Green leader has stepped up pressure on the networks ever since an Independent MP joined the party, giving the Greens a temporary toehold in the House of Commons.
“I believe the consortium has been overly influenced by hints, and threats without actually having public statements on the record from any national party political leader that they would actually refuse to participate in the debates if we were included,” May said.
Most Canadians will find their exclusion “deeply anti-democratic, whether they plan to vote Conservative or not,” May fumed.
“They can vote for the Green party in all 306 ridings across Canada. They want to know where we stand.”
She says Harper’s bid to freeze her out has more to do with concern that the Greens could eat into Conservative support.
It’s also the latest in a string of actions that suggest Harper’s distaste for women’s full equality and a dislike of feminists in particular, she charged.
Pollsters have repeatedly cited as a potential weakness the Conservative failure to sway female voters.
“I think it’s because (Harper) removed from the mandate of Status of Women Canada achieving equality for women,” May said.
“I think it’s because he cancelled universal child care when it was within our grasp. I think it’s because women look at him and realize that here is someone who really does have a deep antipathy for the aspirations of many Canadian women for full equality, full participation.”
*parody of cp article
