Broadcasters reverse decision after public backlash
The federal Green Party will participate in the October televised leaders’ debates after initially being barred from the event.
The initial decision to exclude Green leader Elizabeth May because other parties didn’t want her there sparked a fierce public backlash. “I am just so grateful to Canadians” says May. “And I really think this last couple of days proved that democracy does not happen behind closed doors. It happens when Canadians are engaged and speak up.”
Being excluded from the debate is nothing new for the party but the rationale for its exclusion changed this year. Initially the consortium of TV networks that runs the debates said other party leaders threatened not to participate if the party was allowed in. “Three parties opposed its inclusion and it became clear that if the Green Party were included there would be no leaders’ debates” said the consortium — which includes the CBC TVA CTV and Global — in a news release September 8. “In the interest of Canadians the consortium has determined that it is better to broadcast the debates with the four major party leaders rather than not at all.”
The consortium took a beating in both the mainstream media and the blogosphere for its decision. “I think it is pure exaggeration and blame shifting for the network consortium to allege that the major parties would not actually participate in an election debate because the Greens were included” wrote Alberta blogger and policy analyst Ken Chapman. “Spare me. If that is the case the consortium should have insisted the three political party leaders make their own announcement and give their reasons publicly.”
Two days after the initial announcement Prime Minister Stephen Harper and NDP leader Jack Layton indicated they wouldn’t abstain from the debate if May was included. The consortium later confirmed May would be allowed to participate.
In the 2006 election the Greens got 4.5 per cent of the popular vote.
