Trudeau’s Liberals support May’s inclusion
(OTTAWA) - Statement from Julian Morelli, Director of Communications for the Green Party of Canada:
“Thomas Mulcair is now saying he will participate in the Munk Debate on foreign policy, though his decision breaks his own conditions for attendance. He previously stated that he would not participate in any debate without all party leaders in attendance. With his decision, is Mr. Mulcair claiming that Elizabeth May is not the leader of a national party?
“It is inconsistent that Thomas Mulcair says he wants to continue debating Elizabeth May yet agrees to participate in leader debates without her. To their credit, Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have called for Elizabeth May to be included in all debates.
“There is no precedent for excluding national parties with representation in the House. The arbitrary rules that Munk Debate and Mr. Mulcair are using would mean that in previous elections Reform, Bloc, Progressive Conservatives and the NDP would have been kept out of debates.
“Saying that 12 seats are required to participate in national debates is a false argument: the Reform Party held one seat in 1993, yet Preston Manning was invited to participate; the Progressive Conservatives held only two seats in 1997 and Jean Charest was invited to participate; in the same year, Alexa McDonough and the NDP held nine seats and yet participated in debates; and Elizabeth May herself participated in the 2008 debates with one seat in the house.
“Given that the Munk debate is now being characterized as bilingual, the Greens would also support the participation of the Bloc Quebecois.
“Mr. Mulcair is disrespecting the strong, unified voice from Canadians who want Elizabeth May to participate in all leaders' debates. We call on Mr. Mulcair to leave the hyper-partisanship at the door and recognize Ms. May's rightful place at the debate podium with other national leaders.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca
Or
Kirsten Strom
Executive Assistant to Director of Communications
t: 613.562.4916 (200)
Toll Free 1.866.868.3447
kirsten.strom@greenparty.ca