No Harper in debate, no Mulcair, NDP says

Consortium may consider not holding broadcast

OTTAWA— The NDP says Tom Mulcair won’t participate in any leaders’ debates during the election campaign if they don’t include Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

In laying down that condition, the NDP has likely driven the final nail in the coffin of the traditional debates hosted by a consortium of the country’s largest broadcasters.

The Conservative party has already ruled out Harper’s participation in the proposed consortium debates. And unless Harper changes his mind, now Mulcair won’t take part either. It’s doubtful the consortium will press ahead with its proposal without two of the three main party leaders. The consortium’s televised debates, one French, one English, have been pivotal points in modern federal campaigns.

So far, Harper has agreed to participate in only four debates, starting with one hosted by Maclean’s magazine next Thursday. The other three, scheduled throughout the fall, are being hosted by Quebec television network TVA, the Munk Debates and the Globe and Mail-Google Canada.

The Conservatives have said Harper will participate in five debates but has not so far identified the fifth.

In an apparent attempt to force a speedy decision, the NDP is setting a deadline, saying it will consider debate proposals until 5 p.m. ET on Aug. 7.

The NDP also says Mulcair will participate in an equal number of French and English debates. But that would necessitate either Harper agreeing to participate in two more debates or Mulcair pulling out of at least one of the four already agreed upon.