CTV News has learned tomorrow’s French-language leaders’ debate has been moved, to avoid overlapping with a critical Montreal Canadiens game.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. EDT Wednesday, two hours earlier than previously scheduled.
The shift came following pressure from the leaders of the NDP and Bloc Québécois, who noted the game will be the Canadiens’ third and final chance to clinch a playoff spot.
Jagmeet Singh argued that airing the debate at the same time would make the political system appear “out of touch” with voters.
“We’re asking people—especially in Quebec—to choose between a critical democratic debate and cheering on the Habs in a must-win game,” the NDP leader said in a statement.
“This kind of political discussion shouldn’t compete with something that means so much to so many.”
Singh pointed out that the request is not without precedent. In 2011, the French-language leaders’ debate was rescheduled to avoid a conflict with a Canadiens playoff game.
Earlier in the day, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet told reporters he had written to the Leaders’ Debates Commission and suggested the French-language debate be flipped with Thursday’s English debate. Plans for the English debate have not changed. The event is still scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. EDT on Thursday.
A second French-language debate, proposed by Quebecor-owned TVA, was previously cancelled.
Liberal Leader Mark Carney was slammed for declining to take part in the event ahead of its cancellation, with Blanchet accusing him of “hiding” from Quebec voters.
The station had also been asking each party to contribute $75,000 toward production costs for the debate. No date was ever set.
