Federal Election 2019: Canadians will have unprecedented access to the debates

Photo credit: Canadian Debate Production Partnership


Election day is fast approaching and the six federal party leaders are preparing to go toe-to-toe in the federal election debates!

An informed voter is the best kind of voter and this year, Canadians will have access to the debate on an unprecedented scale.

The federal election debates scheduled for Monday, October 7 (English-language) and Thursday, October 10 (French-language) will be available on 11 television stations, 3 radio networks, more than 20 social media/digital platforms, in four different accessible formats, Arabic, Cantonese, Italian, Mandarin, Punjabi and several Indigenous languages.

“The scope and reach by which the debates will be available to all of Canada is unprecedented in our political history,” says Commissioner David Johnston. “It’s our hope that all Canadians will come together in this shared experience. Too often, we focus on the things that separate us,” he adds. “This is an opportunity for the country to come together; to watch or listen to the same thing, at the same time, to gain a better understanding about the issues at hand and what they mean to people throughout the country.”

Both debates will be held in front of a live audience at the Canadian Museum of History, overlooking Parliament Hill. Tickets are free. For more information click here.

There will also be opportunities for live viewing parties across the country where Canadians are encouraged to gather together to watch at movie theatres, bookstores, libraries and other locations. Cineplex Theatres will live stream the debates in 24 movie theatres across the country. Those in Ottawa who are interested can watch the debates live at the Cineplex South Keys theatre on both Monday, October 7th and Thursday October 10th. Tickets to this screening are free and all ages can attend. To reserve your ticket visit Cineplex.com/Events.

Other live viewing parties will take place at WE Global Learning Centre in Toronto, McNally Robinson Booksellers in Saskatoon, and Halifax Central Library.

The Canadian Debate Production Partnership, producers of the debates, will host events in 8 locations across the country, at which audience members will pose questions directly to the leaders. More information will be released over the next week.

To learn more, visit www.debates-debats.ca or follow them on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.