French leaders debate moved to avoid conflict with Canadiens game
The Leaders’ Debates Commission says the French language debate on Wednesday will start two hours earlier at 6 p.m. ET to avoid a conflict with the Montreal Canadiens hockey game.
The French-language election debate will now take place two hours earlier than planned on Wednesday, at 6 p.m. ET, to minimize a conflict with a Montreal Canadiens hockey game.
The Leaders’ Debates Commission and Radio-Canada made the announcement this afternoon after two federal party leaders raised concerns the hockey game could draw viewers away from the debate.
The Montreal NHL team could clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs in its game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, which begins at 7 p.m. ET.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said the scheduling conflict made the political system look “out of touch,” while Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said the importance of the debate for Quebec democracy should not be underestimated.
A French-language leaders’ debate was also rescheduled during the 2011 election to avoid a conflict with a Canadiens game.
The Canadiens could qualify for the playoffs before they even take to the ice Wednesday if the Columbus Blue Jackets fail to win in regulation.
