Canada federal election Sept. 24
CBC News will bring you the latest news from the campaign trail in our live blog every weekday from now until election day, Oct. 19.
-
-
The leaders of the five main parties won't be appearing in public until the French-language debate this evening, but we'll bring you any news that breaks on the campaign trail throughout the day.
-
Thursday's debate
The debate is being produced by a partnership of Radio-Canada, La Presse, Télé-Québec, CBC News, CTV News and Global News, together with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Vine, Google, YouTube and CPAC. -
For me at least this was a must read on a local news editor meeting with Stephen Harper.
http://t.co/D6FaOVbnEw8:53 AM - 24 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Bernie Bellan: My unexpected meeting with Stephen Harper
Bernie Bellan, editor and publisher of The Jewish Post & News in Winnipeg, describes his experience meeting Stephen Harper during the Conservative leader's campaign stop in the city earlier this week. -
I think it is imperative that we look at the Keystone pipeline for what I believe it is — a distraction from the important work we have to do on climate change. - Hillary Clinton
Oil sands pipelines now back on the election agenda
Hillary Clinton's announcement this week that she would veto the controversial Keystone XL pipeline if she becomes president didn't just make waves on the U.S. campaign trail, Chris Hall writes. -
- Canadian Press
The leaders' debate might be in French, but Elizabeth May clearly sees tonight's exchange in Montreal as a chance to reach a broad sweep of Canadians with the Green message.
The evening is especially important to the party since it could be May's last opportunity to stand alongside the other leaders before the Oct. 19 election.
May was excluded from the recent Globe and Mail debate on the economy -- though she did light up Twitter with video retorts -- and she isn't invited to one sponsored by the Munk Debates on foreignpolicy.
In addition, it looks like the sort of widely broadcast English debate seen in previous campaigns may not happen this time since Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has refused to take part and NDPLeader Tom Mulcair has said he won't participate if Harper doesn't.
May, Harper and Mulcair will be joined tonight by Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe.
"The French-language debate will give Canadians the chance to see all party leaders debate important issues and is a crucial part of the democratic process," May said in a statement.
She plans to talk about the Green party's vision for abolishing tuition fees, halting bitumen-laden pipelines and making the federation work better through a proposed Council of CanadianGovernments. - Canadian Press
-
In one case, a bug in the system allowed passport employees to change the photo on an application after it had been approved.
-
There was no intention to fear monger.
Dianne Watts facing scrutiny over campaign flyer
A campaign mailout sent to homes in the South Surrey—White Rock riding, by Conservative candidate Dianne Watts, is being called absurd and fear mongering. -
Have you pledged to vote? CBC News wants to hear from you. Email us at community@cbc.ca with your thoughts, stories and opinions for a chance to be featured in an upcoming story, or leave a comment about your own #PledgeToVote below.
Click to view Facebook Video
CBC Newsvia Facebook at 9:30 AM -
Here's a sampling of what the parties' official accounts have been tweeting in the last 24 hours:Only the Conservative party is taking steps to support our men and women in uniform. http://t.co/hyadEW380R #cdnpoli1:55 PM - 23 Sep 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Fall is here, leaves are turning orange, and Canadians are #Ready4Change in Ottawa. #NDP #elxn42 http://t.co/chxv0ZQ4Ri
3:30 PM - 23 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Best wishes and #EidMubarak to all those celebrating the start of Eid al-Adha today!
https://t.co/7zO4BfFyW98:27 PM - 23 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
2:45 PM - 23 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Faites-vs entendre pendant et après le débat sur Twitter et Facebook avec les mots-clics #DébatsDesChefs #JeVoteBloc http://t.co/zHV2Z6118l
5:09 PM - 23 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
-
Where do you stand?
Canada Votes 2015 - Vote Compass - CBC News
Canada Votes 2015 - Vote Compass - CBC NewsVote Compass is an educational tool developed by political scientists designed to help you explore how you fit in Canada’s political landscape. -
What's driving you to vote in #elxn42? Use #MyNorthMyVote and let @CBCNorth know: http://t.co/F4XEoB8JIt http://t.co/8lCfNz0NqZ
9:43 AM - 24 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
-
One of the reasons Harper ranks so low is that when the Vote Compass results are broken down by party preference, only Conservative voters give him high ratings.
Tom Mulcair rated most competent, trustworthy of leaders: Vote Compass
Canadians view NDP Leader Tom Mulcair as the most trustworthy and competent of the five candidates vying to be prime minister, according to the latest results from Vote Compass. -
- Canadian Press
Twice now during the federal election campaign, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau brought photographers and television cameras with him to a boxing ring before a leaders debate.
The symbolism of the boxing match for Trudeau is unmistakable and Wednesday's photo opportunity before Thursday night's French-language debate in Montreal had an extra layer of meaning.
With a steely stare, Trudeau sparred with Ali Nestor, the owner of the martial arts gym in Montreal's north end and the man who trained Trudeau before he trounced Senator Patrick Brazeau in a 2012charity fight.
Trudeau was considered the underdog and was laughed at repeatedly by Conservative pundits who called him a "shiny pony" who had no chance against the senator with martial arts training.
But after beating Brazeau in the third round, Trudeau went on to win the Liberal leadership race and is now a serious contender to be prime minister.
Due to the presence Thursday night of Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe -- who will certainly focus his attacks on themes central to Quebec voters -- and the fact the debate is in French,Trudeau can once again be considered an underdog.
He is stronger in French than Harper, but not as agile as NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and nowhere near as experienced as Duceppe.
The Liberals in Quebec are also polling significantly behind the NDP, the defending champs and main contenders for supremacy of the province's 78 ridings. - Canadian Press
-
It just gives the capacity, of the Bloc Quebecois in particular, to wedge that niqab in as something where they want to position Quebecers against the NDP. - Christian Bourque, pollster
-
When we realized they were official Elections Canada signage, we immediately returned the signs to the party.
NDP signs in Stephen Harper's riding removed by Calgary bylaw services
When a local NDP campaign had to meet a Calgary animal and bylaw services employee in a Walmart parking lot to make an exchange, it had the whiff of intrigue. -
A post to our Facebook page followed by a sampling of reader comments:
Thanks Hillary, you've just restarted the Great Canadian Pipeline debate: Chris Hall
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-pipelines-chris-hall-1.3241032
CBC Newsvia Facebook at 9:32 AMThe pipeline just won't happen. Time to move on.
Ryan Tatarniukvia Facebook at 9:33 AMHillary will be the next President so things should be interesting.
Bob Mikkelsenvia Facebook at 9:43 AMThe real question is , will she veto the sale of Coal (the dirtiest fuel on the planet) to other parts of the world or is cutting Canada out of the world energy market just done on ethical grounds.- Great Neighbour!
Bob Oswinvia Facebook at 9:49 AMI wonder how much it costs us everytime this issue is discussed. It seems to me that this is all it will ever be. A discussion that costs money, with no actual work being done. Just like most political nonsense.
Brandon Ferlandvia Facebook at 9:59 AMGoldman Sachs sees oil descending to $20 a barrel and staying there for a good while to come. XL and Energy East are wasted infrastructure gambits. Better to invest in the alternatives for employment and long term prosperity. The planet will thank us too.
Ron Thibodeauvia Facebook at 9:54 AM -
#PledgeToVote and challenge friends and family to do it too. Powered by @Google http://t.co/tLBR57zyoG #elxn42 http://t.co/3cRJE3bDee8:15 AM - 24 Sep 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
-
-
Premier Philippe Couillard wants to know the next prime minister's — whomever that may be — position on key files close to Quebec's heart.
Quebec, Philippe Couillard and the next prime minister
Philippe Couillard sent all party leaders a list of priorities for Quebecers. Where do they see eye-to-eye? And where could they encounter problems? -
- Canadian Press
When Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe appears in the leaders' TV debate tonight, expect him to spend much of his time attacking one rival: the NDP's Tom Mulcair.
With the NDP appearing to have maintained much of its momentum in Quebec since its 2011 electoral breakthrough in the province, the longtime sovereigntist leader will no doubt view the two-hour French-language debate as a golden opportunity to put a dent in Mulcair's armour.
The NDP won nearly 60 of Quebec's 75 seats in Quebec in 2011 under Jack Layton, reducing the Bloc to a rump of four.
This time around, there's even talk the Bloc may be shut out and University of Ottawa political science professor Francois Rocher says Duceppe has to focus on targeting the NDP leader.
"He has to perform relatively well in attacking Mulcair and explaining why the Quebec electorate has something to gain in sending to Ottawa a bunch of (pro-independence) MPs," Rocher said in an interview.
"In the current state of affairs, the Bloc won't be able to elect even one MP member, so the biggest winner might and should be, if there is any, Gilles Duceppe." - Canadian Press
-
A post to our Facebook page and a sampling of the comments from readers:
The Conservatives are unlikely to have such electoral luck as last time around says Eric Grenier.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-grenier-southwest-sep23-1.3239167
CBC Newsvia Facebook at 8:00 AMI will vote liberal or conservative. I won't be any part of NDP ruining Canada
Scotia Jasonvia Facebook at 9:58 AMI will not vote for conservatives and I will not vote for Liberals simply because of their performance in Ontario. So leaves NDP or Green Party!
Tyrone Deevia Facebook at 9:40 AMThe desire to heave Steve will pull voters to vote the best suited candidate to take out any CONservative incumbent. That's what my vote will help to accomplish. I might not get to vote for who I really want, but the greater good of getting Harper out is the only viable option.
Edgar Bertrandvia Facebook at 8:57 AMWith the way things have gone in this province under Liberal leadership you would think all of Ontario would vote federal Conservative.
James Ponsonbyvia Facebook at 10:02 AMOut of all 3, Harper seems to protect the Canadian cultural values, such as homeland security when it comes to the refugees & the niqab issue. These are instances where Harper is standing firm on what it is to be Canadian while the others tend to open their arms too generously without looking into the future on the repercussions of their actions.
Rebecca Sloanvia Facebook at 8:58 AM -
This debate matters, because if there's ever a shot at breaking the NDP stranglehold on Quebec voter love right now, this is it.
Federal leaders' French-language debate: 5 elements to watch for tonight
Tonight's French-language debate may not get the same attention outside Quebec as the previous debates, but it could still prove influential on the outcome of the election. -
- Canadian Press
A top organizer for both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is actively working with the NDP -- and predicts Canadians will conclude that Leader Tom Mulcair is the only person who can defeat Stephen Harper.
Jeremy Bird was President Obama's national field director in 2012, helping to identify and motivate individual voters at the grassroots level. More recently, he was one of the figures inside the political action committee promoting Clinton as a presidential candidate.
He's now well acquainted with Canadian politics, and speaks with ease about regional support levels, vote splits and party records.
"A lot of what you see from the Conservative policies of the Harper government are a lot like the rhetoric we're hearing from the Republican Party primaries -- economic policies to help the rich get richer at the expense of the middle class, a budget that's only balanced on the back of working class families ... denials of climate change," Bird said in an interview from Washington, D.C.
"Fortunately we share democratic values with the NDP, and I think climate change is just one example of that." - Canadian Press
-
ICYMI, candidates from the NDP and the Conservatives were both under scrutiny yesterday for comments they've made:
NDP candidate Alex Johnstone 'didn't know what Auschwitz was'
A Hamilton school trustee running in the federal election for the New Democrats has apologized for making a crude reference related to Auschwitz, reportedly saying she had no idea that it was a notorious Nazi death camp.
Joe Daniel's comments about Muslim 'agenda' taken out of context, says campaign
Joe Daniel, a Conservative candidate running for re-election in Toronto, has come under fire for comments warning against a so-called Muslim "agenda" to resettle Syrian refugees to European countries, but his campaign manager says the comments were "taken out of context." -
Here's a post to our Facebook page along with a sampling of some of the comments:
First camera stickers on Harper's signs. Now NDP signs go missing in his riding.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ndp-sign-harper-calgary-heritage-removed-bylaw-1.3240562?cmp=rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
CBC Newsvia Facebook at 1:00 AMNaheed Nenshi - hope there is going to be a thorough investigation. Calgary bylaw officers tampering with federal election signage?
Mary-Anne Robesonvia Facebook at 2:21 AMOh? I sure would like to have a chat with Calgary bylaw to ask them why they think that was a good idea.
Sheldon Bouletvia Facebook at 1:20 AMRightfully so. They are not campaign signs, they are littering. Drive through that riding, you will ding vandalized Harper signs everywhere.
Marc Hollingervia Facebook at 1:01 AMBeing this far into the election campaign, any Canadian that needs to be informed on who to vote for by a quip on a sign should feel ashamed for being so poorly uninformed.
Cam Bradyvia Facebook at 1:11 AMI believe signs that are a personal attack on a leader should be removed regardless of party. We should run a clean election as much as possible.
Maria Chapeskievia Facebook at 8:46 AM -
Peegate looms above all.Heading into #debatdeschefs, Twitter tracks the conversation on key #elxn42 issues from the campaign so far #cdnpoli http://t.co/eutnciI9jD
11:20 AM - 24 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
-
The most followed local #elxn42 candidates on Twitter: @TonyclementCPC, @jkenney and @cafreeland #cdnpoli http://t.co/cbw9f7VkE6
11:57 AM - 24 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
-
-
If an ad like this was played outside Quebec, there'd be screaming in the streets.
Mid-week podcast: Niqab politics and French-language debate
Mark Kennedy and Marie Vastel join Chris to discuss how identity politics are playing out on the campaign trail, plus economic revisionism and a look ahead to the first French debate of the election. -
No Muslim, no terrorism
NDP election signs defaced with anti-Muslim messages
Several election signs of NDP candidate Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe were defaced with anti-Muslim messages in the Pierrefonds-Dollard riding this week. -
- Canadian Press
Tom Mulcair will arrive at the first French-language debate with something no NDP leader has ever had in the important Quebec-anchored contest: the biggest target on his back.
At Parliament's dissolution, Mulcair's party held by far the most seats in Quebec, the home province of many voters who will be focused on Thursday's widely broadcast TV debate.
Mulcair's opponents, all hoping to win new territory in the Oct. 19 election, are expected to direct most of their attacks toward the presumed front-runner.
His performance will be critical for a party that has seen its lead slip in a province considered the bedrock of its support, recent polls have suggested.
"Overall, it's fragile -- it's really fragile in Quebec," pollster Jean-Marc Leger said of NDP support, which, he added, appeared to be stronger at the start of the campaign.
"It's become more and more difficult for (Mulcair) to connect with Quebecers, so this debate is crucial for him if wants to maintain his vote.
"He was too strong, too soon." - Canadian Press
-
CBC's local newsrooms have been busy covering debates in ridings across the country. Here's a round-up of some of today's stories:
CBC North:
NDP's Melissa Atkinson to Conservative Ryan Leef: Why no MMIW inquiry?
Three of Yukon's federal election candidates met Wednesday evening for the first of several election forums, and it didn't take long for the conversation to become heated.
CBC Sudbury:
Federal election: Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing candidates face off in debate
The would-be MPs for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing met in a debate Wednesday night in front of 50 voters in Elliot Lake — and the incumbent New Democrat was once again grilled over an infamous flip-flop from five years ago.
CBC Thunder Bay:
Thunder Bay - Superior North candidates square off in campaign debate
Candidates in the Thunder Bay - Superior North riding squared off in their first election debate Tuesday night, in Marathon, Ont., about 300 kilometres east of Thunder Bay.
CBC Edmonton:
Edmonton Griesbach riding debate focused on jobs and economy
More than 100 people showed up Wednesday for a political forum in the Edmonton Griesbach riding, and many seemed to want to talk about jobs, the economy and social programs. -
- Canadian Press
Stephen Harper will be working hard Thursday night to appeal to voters in Quebec, where the NDP's orange wave washed away half of the Conservatives' seats in the last election.
Generally, Harper is expected to hammer home his key campaign messages of strong economic stewardship, low taxes and job creation, but he will specifically be trying to shore up existing Conservative support in the five ridings the party was left holding after the 2011 vote.
"I think it's reasonably well understood and assumed that all of Quebec is not in play for the Conservative party," said Tim Powers, a Conservative strategist who is not advising this campaign.
"I suspect (Harper will make) a very direct pitch to the pockets of Conservative voters in Quebec who are going to be crucial," particularly in the Quebec City region, where most of the party's seats remain, he said.
One issue that has been controversial in many parts of the country but will appeal to the Conservatives' base in Quebec is that of niqabs at citizenship ceremonies.
The federal government is fighting a court ruling that threw out the requirement for uncovered faces at the ceremonies.
The Conservatives are banking on the issue being a winner for them in Quebec, releasing a French ad this week with Harper sitting around a table, telling a few assembled people that Quebec valuesare Conservative priorities: reducing taxes, good jobs, a good future for their kids, a comfortable retirement -- and new citizens who take the oath with an uncovered face. - Canadian Press
-
Last hour:Hundreds of Quebec farmers -- and two cows-- are now in front of Maison Radio-Canada #cbcmtl http://t.co/JzdGJfNzbr
12:41 PM - 24 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
Farmers want federal party leaders to take a stand on food and dairy import quotas #cbcmtl http://t.co/PAFfnN70Z4
12:44 PM - 24 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
-
Here's our full story about the farmer protest:
Producers have good reason to be suspicious. - Bruno Letendre
Quebec farmers, cows protest ahead of federal leaders' debate
Quebec dairy farmers brought their fight over supply management — and their cows — to the site of the French-language federal leaders' debate in Montreal. -
No boxing today:
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire help their son Hadrien walk across a bridge at a playground in Montreal. Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press -
At Issue panelist and pollster Bruce Anderson:Horserace polling requires more caution than ever. Fewer declarative statements about outcomes. That's one opinion anyway. #elxn421:17 PM - 24 Sep 2015
- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
-
How to watch Thursday's debate
The French-language leaders' debate will be broadcast live and live streamed online 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET Thursday.
You can watch the debate in simultaneous English translation on CBC News Network and online at CBCNews.ca/Canada Votes beginning with a Power & Politics pre-debate special at 7 p.m. ET. The debate will be broadcast in French by Radio-Canada (check local listings) and live streamed online at ICI Radio-Canada.ca.
The debate is being produced by a partnership of Radio-Canada, La Presse, Télé-Québec, CBC News, CTV News and Global News, together with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Vine, Google, YouTube and CPAC.
Rendez-vous ce soir, 20 h #debatdeschefs #elxn42 #polcan http://t.co/va2qzNDuhf http://t.co/l05UUWB00n1:01 PM - 24 Sep 2015- Reply
- Retweet
- Favorite
-
Rosie Barton is here with us now to take your questions.
Let's start with a question about tonight's French-language debate in Montreal.
What are you expecting in tonight's debate that we might not have seen in the previous English-language debates? -
Well, it's going to entirely different I think. Forget the whole language thing...which obvs different, but there will also be FIVE, count 'em, FIVE leaders on stage and that is going to change the dynamic a lot. -
For instance, just having an experienced leader like Gilles Duceppe in the mix at that debate will keep everyone on their toes.
-
Particularly because I don't think Duceppe has anything to lose at this point. So, you can imagine how that might influence what he is willing to say!
-
We're getting asked this one a lot:
If two parties end up with an exact tie for most seats, who gets to form government?
Ken Woodat 1:45 PM -
Can I answer that we make the leaders mud-wrestle who gets to be PM?
