Party leaders' debates scheduled, as support for Elizabeth May's inclusion grows online
An online petition demanding Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May be included in the televised leaders' debates for the federal election has garnered more than 100,000 signatures.
A few thousand people have joined a Facebook group opposed to May's exclusion.
May's supporters are sending e-mails to television executives at the big broadcasters, whose consortium decided not to invite May to the debates.
There's even a Twitter hashtag: #EMayIN
"This is not over just because 4 leaders ignore democracy along with media execs. U must have your say," May, who is considering legal action, tweeted on Wednesday (March 30).
But, as outrage grows online, the consortium of corporate and state broadcasters is showing no signs of backing down, as it did when it allowed May to participate in 2008 election debates in response to public pressure.
On Wednesday, the broadcasting consortium—composed of CBC/Radio-Canada, CTV, Global, and TVA—said that it decided unanimously to only invite the four party leaders with representation in the House of Commons.
"The decision was based on the application of journalistic principles, and the fact that the Green Party has never elected a member to Parliament," the consortium said in a news release.
The English debate will take place on April 12, and the French debate is scheduled for April 14.
You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.
Comments
6 Comments
LTD.Edition
Mar 31, 2011 at 10:21am
Green party has official party status since it met the 5% support requirement... should be enough that the government recognizes them in an official capacity.
christine scheurlen
Mar 31, 2011 at 10:24am
If she is not allowed in the debate I will support her in two ways one by not watching the televised debate April 12th and the other by casting a vote in her favour.
Xtina
Apr 1, 2011 at 8:19am
Greens should stay in municipal politics and if they have any success there, then go onto provincial and then federal politics. They won't win 1 seat in this federal election, and provincially all they do is split the left vote. Sorry, but it's the truth.
kat hee
Apr 1, 2011 at 2:23pm
Xtina, yes, its true, that when we have aprov of fed election the greens either lose or split the vote. But there ias a reason why: NO ONE KNOWS THE GREEN PLATFORM. sure, some people claim they know what up with it, but they are partisan to one party or another, and have a vested interest in your DISinterest in the greens.. i gotta say, ive never voted green, but since this election leaves much to be desired in the big 4, i have taken a closer look, and they are the ones for me i think.... ALso, whats the justification based on that logic to allow the Bloc in? the only province they are relevant in is quebec, and barely there, even, the greens are national.
dreadnugent
Apr 3, 2011 at 9:18am
So I just read she is on her way to becoming a priest .. has some pretty right wing views on abortion .. and I would love to see her get grilled on that .... what is happening to you tree huggers? .. are the Greens now part of the New World Order as well? I'm voting Pirate ... arrrrrrggghhhhh....
Nicole D.
Apr 4, 2011 at 3:52pm
Earlier poster said: "If she is not allowed in the debate I will support her in two ways one by not watching the televised debate April 12th and the other by casting a vote in her favour." Great idea! I'll follow suit.