Televised Speech by Party Leaders
Preamble
Whereas Canada’s political system confers many undeserved advantages on large political parties to the detriment of supporters of smaller parties
And whereas televised debates among party leaders have become a major factor in voters’ election decision-making
Operative
BE IT RESOLVED that GPC advocates debate participation by party leaders be mandatory.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that GPC advocates the equal time participation in leadership debates of the leaders of all registered parties which attracted at least 3 per cent of the national vote in the previous general election.
Background
The impact of national televised leader debates can be large. After Elizabeth May appeared and performed well in the 2008 leader debates, Green Party candidates attracted 6.7 per cent of the national vote. When
broadcasters and other political parties refused her the opportunity to participate in 2011, the Green Party vote shared plunged to 3.9 per cent. In the interest of fairness and public information GPC advocates some free national television debate exposure for the leaders of all registered political parties.
As a practical matter GPC also recognizes the need for a threshold qualification for participation in the principal leadership debates. A qualifying threshold of 3 per cent of the national vote in the previous
election would provide a necessary distinction between political party leaders and local independent candidates.
Code
Proposal Type
Submitter Name
Party Commentary
This policy is consistent with Green Party policy on democracy and government accountability. The Green Party currently does not have a specific and explicit policy on federal political party leader debates.
Preamble
Whereas Canada’s political system confers many undeserved advantages on large political parties to the detriment of supporters of smaller parties
And whereas televised debates among party leaders have become a major factor in voters’ election decision-making
Operative
BE IT RESOLVED that GPC advocates debate participation by party leaders be mandatory.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that GPC advocates the equal time participation in leadership debates of the leaders of all registered parties which attracted at least 3 per cent of the national vote in the previous general election.
Sponsors
Background
The impact of national televised leader debates can be large. After Elizabeth May appeared and performed well in the 2008 leader debates, Green Party candidates attracted 6.7 per cent of the national vote. When
broadcasters and other political parties refused her the opportunity to participate in 2011, the Green Party vote shared plunged to 3.9 per cent. In the interest of fairness and public information GPC advocates some free national television debate exposure for the leaders of all registered political parties.
As a practical matter GPC also recognizes the need for a threshold qualification for participation in the principal leadership debates. A qualifying threshold of 3 per cent of the national vote in the previous
election would provide a necessary distinction between political party leaders and local independent candidates.
Party Commentary
This policy is consistent with Green Party policy on democracy and government accountability. The Green Party currently does not have a specific and explicit policy on federal political party leader debates.