Master debaters
Possibly the only debate to feature all federal party leaders has occurred—a lackluster spectacle touching on few national issues compared to spitfire elocutionary contests of Canada’s past.
The 1988 debate, case in point, between Brian Mulroney, Ed Broadbent and John Turner contained much more actual argument. Compare the intense discussion surrounding the Free-Trade Agreement with the rather tepid exchange on Canada’s recent Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA)—which seems not to have been discussed at all.
It could be that bilateral agreements are no longer that contentious in Canada—after all since the US-Canada Free Trade Agreement was signed, over 40 such agreements have been made—still nothing seems to have fired up the leaders who seemed, but for Elizabeth May, to be content to carry on with the status quo and party lines.
With one of the longest election campaigns in Canadian history upon us surely nationally televised debates are more important than ever—and yet, compared to previous debates which reached millions, Maclean’s reached far fewer.
While the online format of the Maclean’s debate may have worked to restrict viewers, limited viewership also rests on the limited effervescence of the debate’s content. Most leaders decided to play safe and keep to talking points, the debate contained few memorable moments.
Liberal leader Justin Trudeau intoning “Nobody believes you, Mr. Harper,” hardly compares to Canada’s 1988 federal televised leaders debate in which Progressive Conservative leader Mulroney furiously interrupted Liberal leader Turner, with the zinger, “You do not have a monopoly on patriotism!”
If debates were still as well-moderated as in 88’s, viewers there would not have had to struggle to listen to speakers over interrupting candidate side-chatter.
If the Maclean’s wrangle is what we can expect then Canada’s days of fervent debate are gone. Even party leaders are starting to argue about whether or not they should bother with them. Harper has declined two out of three of the upcoming debates. Mulcair has said he will not attend if Harper is not present.
Who could be faulted for thinking this kind of debate is what the country deserves?
Watch and weep, Canadians. Between now and vote day October 19, the best shot of seeing a good Canadian leaders debates is probably already archived on Youtube.
