Image: Canadian Press

By Aaron Schulze, CFJC Today (B100 Merritt)

Federal debate

Green Party disinvited from tonight’s federal debate after it ‘intentionally’ reduced the number of candidates

Apr 16, 2025 | 7:11 AM

OTTAWA — The Leaders’ Debate Commission says it has rescinded its invitation to the Green Party to participate in the two federal leaders’ debates.

The decision comes just hours before the French language debate is scheduled to take place in Montreal and one day before the English debate.

The commission says because the party intentionally reduced its number of candidates running in the federal election, it “no longer meets the intention of the participation criteria.”

In order to participate in the debates, parties must meet two of three conditions.

They must have had one seat in the House of Commons, have at least four per cent national support 28 days before the election, or have endorsed candidates in at least 90 per cent of ridings 28 days before the election.

BAGGED LUNCHES

Local restaurant owner honours late son with Mother's Day lunch initiative for unhoused

4h ago

SUMMER RESEARCH

UFV seeks community partners for summer research internship program

6h ago

CHARGES LAID

Surrey man faces homicide, attempted murder charges after 2024 stabbing

7h ago

By the deadline set by the debate commission, the Green Party was polling at less than three per cent, and while it included a full list of candidate endorsements by the deadline, the party only has 232 candidates running.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2025.