Re: leaders’ debates.

Who will be in the leaders’ debates during the federal election expected this fall? Once again, this troubling question is in the news.

Of the 17 officially registered federal political parties, only a few of the party leaders will be invited.

Will the Bloc Quebecois be allowed in, as they only field candidates in one province? Will the Marijuana Party or the Christian Heritage Party be there?

Will the Green Party be allowed to participate?

The leaders’ debates are the most important event in the entire campaign – affecting how millions of people will vote.

Yet few people are aware that the decision as to who is invited is made in secret by unknown media executives using criteria hidden from voters.

Is it not bizarre – not to mention undemocratic – that while every aspect of federal elections is under the strict scrutiny and control of Elections Canada, the leaders’ debates are not even mentioned in Canadian electoral law?

Without explaining their reasons, the media consortium has already decided not to include the Green Party leader. That’s even though over 60,000 people signed a petition to include her, and a recent poll showed 70 per cent of Canadians want her there.

And since Elizabeth was in the debate in 2008, and since it currently holds two seats in Parliament and is polling from five to 10 per cent nationally, it should be a foregone conclusion that she would be included.

An aside: May believes there should be more televised debates, which would boost citizen engagement in Canada.

A month ago, the Green Party asked the NDP, Liberal and Conservative party leaders a simple yes or no question: if they felt the Green Party should be invited. Only Justin Trudeau – after a lengthy delay – said yes.

When asked about including May in the debates, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair said: “That is something that is completely left up to the consortium, and I will follow whatever they decide.”

This doesn’t sound like someone defending democracy and the wishes of Canadians.

Canadians should remind Mulcair that Elizabeth is tied with him as the leader respected most by Canadians, at 45 per cent.

Who’s afraid of Elizabeth May? Are Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mulclair afraid that she will speak the truth about climate change or about Canada’s slippery slope into a police state?

I am now asking an open question of Yukon MP Ryan Leef: Will he break with his party leadership and agree that the Green Party of Canada leader should be included in the televised debates?

Will he stand up for democracy?

Frank de Jong
Yukon candidate
Green Party
Faro