And now, Canada's political leaders will regale us with their command of the English language

The stage is set for tonight's English Language Election debate.
The event set for a 6PM start via a range of broadcast and streaming options
(screenshot from the Wednesday Night French language debate)

After two previous sessions en Français, tonight marks the night for the One and Only English language debate, the event set to be relayed across the nation from the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec starting at 6PM BC time.

The same panel of leaders as was onstage on Wednesday for the French session will be on hand for tonights two hour opportunity to make their mark, the list includes:

Liberal leader, Prime Minster Justin Trudeau
Conservative leader Erin O'Toole
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh
Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-François Blanchet 
Green Party leader Annamie Paul

Missing from the group is People's Party leader Maxime Bernier, an absence that is creating a bit of controversy owing to his party's current placement in the polls which is higher than that of the Green Party. 

As we outlined yesterday, that came about as the Debate commission had set a deadline in late August to make their determinations as to which leaders would get their invites, at that time the People's Party had not reached the threshold of polling support required.

Also of note, the presence of Mr. Blanchet, representing his party the Bloc Quebecois which is only running for seats in Quebec will be on the stage; while Mr. Bernier who has support across the country sits on the sidelines.

Tonight's debate will be moderated by Shachi Kurl the President of the Angus Reid Institute a national polling organization. 

As part of the debate format, Participating journalists will be asking questions of the candidates. 

Those sitting in on that panel this evening, include Rosemary Barton from CBC News, Melissa Ridgen APTN News, Evan Solomon CTV News and Mercedes Stephens from Global News.

The candidates will have five themes to speak towards tonight, they include:

Affordability
Climate
COVID recovery
Leadership and Accountability
Reconciliation

Many observers had been suggesting that a category of Canada's place in the world and world issues should be included, that considering the many challenges of the last few years. 

That topic however didn't make the short list, though it could somehow work its way into the Leadership and Accountability segment as that session moves forward.

The Five segments that are up for debate will each include the following four elements:

Question from a voter
Question from the moderator or a journalist to each leader
Leader to Leader to Leader debate (3 of 5 leaders)
Open Debate for all 5 leaders

With the most recent polling showing a very close race still in place heading to the homestretch of the campaign, tonight's debate could be a pivotal moment for voters to make a decision from.

A gaffe from any of the candidates could seal their fate on September 20th, while a strong performance could possibly sway any undecided voters into a number of political camps.

With some strong indications of the likelihood of another minority government coming out of the vote, how the parties outside of the two front runners of the Liberal sand Conservatives fare could also make for a key difference as to what the next Parliament may look like.

The support that the remaining parties receive and if they can transfer that to seat gains in the House would be a key element towards how the next Government moves forward.

Something else to keep an eye on tonight is the post debate scrums, those short question and answer sessions that sometimes create more news than the actual event.

Last night delivered a moment that made for much discussion today, that after the Prime Minister spoke in reply to a question from the news organization Rebel News, the response to the group making for one of last night's viral moments.

You most likely can find the debates by turning on your television to most Canadian TV channels this evening, a full list of where the debate is being made available for broadcast or streaming can be reviewed here.

For notes on the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding campaign see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.