No foreign policy, no supporters for debate on Thursday
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The English language leaders debate on Thursday will be missing two key elements normally present: a discussion of foreign policy and the raucous gang of supporters each leader brings with them.
A news release issued by the Debate Broadcast Group, which is producing the event, detailed that topics to be covered will include affordability, climate, COVID recovery, leadership and accountability, and reconciliation.
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Not on the list is the issue that dominated questions to the leaders for the start of the campaign, foreign affairs, and specifically the collapse of Afghanistan and the ensuing evacuation crisis.
There are still more than 1,000 Canadians trapped in Afghanistan and more who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, but who at risk because they worked with Canadian forces or diplomat.
Leon Mar, a CBC executive speaking on behalf of the broadcast group, said that last month, a call went out to the Canadian public asking them what mattered most in this election. He said that more than 20,000 submissions were received and sorted.
“An editorial team of Debate Broadcast Group journalists reviewed these submissions, applying the same journalistic standards and editorial practices used in their respective newsrooms,” Mar said.
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Mar added later that the leaders may be able to discuss foreign affairs during the leadership and accountability section.
As for supporters, an email obtained by the Toronto Sun shows that all parties have been informed that the RCMP will not allow supporters on-site as is normally the case. Leaders are normally greeted by the cheers of their own supporters and jeers of their opponents’ supporters.
The email, sent Saturday evening, advised the parties that supporters will not be allowed on the grounds of the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., where the debate will be held.
The debate can be watched live at 8 p.m. on the Sun website and on news sites across the Postmedia Network.
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