BLOG: Thanks Canada, for the Leader's Debate

by Lyndia — October 3, 2008

The contents of these blogs are not authored by Apathy Is Boring. Apathy Is Boring is a non-partisan organization and statements made reflect only the views of their authors.

I don’t think I am going to be able to live with Top Model, Survivor or Canadian Idol after this, REAL reality television: the Federal Leadership Debate (The Debate). The leaders of five federal parties (Bloc, Conservative, Green, NDP and Liberal) take the stand pre-election in a televised debate (two actually, one series that happens in English and l’autre en Français). The idea was the party leaders who could take part in The Debate, up until this year, were the ones who’s party was represented: those with seats in Parliament. Which leads to the question: How likely was the average Canadian to watch this year’s debates? I mean, I guess I was, but I also stayed on afterwards to see the beginning of the American Vice-Presidential debates too. I think it made for a pretty interesting comparison: not on the issues, but that was clearly one part of it, but on the structure, the format.

The tone was so different with five articulate, informed, opinionated politicians sitting around a table with their mediator and no live audience. Granted, the American ones I watched were at an hour usually reserved for bedtime, but the atmosphere seemed drastically different. My friend actually made fun of me during the Canadian debate saying, “you are actually on the edge of your seat,” and I looked around and saw I was squeezing that sofa cushion pretty hard AND almost falling off the couch. Again, that’s probably just me.

Let’s just say I felt a LOT LESS energy with the vice-presidential candidates. Those Canadian Federal leaders talked about a huge variety of different issues. I can’t imagine someone who didn’t find at least one of them interesting: the economy, the environment, foreign policy, electoral systems, public safety, health care! (If you missed out on The Debate check out the recorded English debate on CBC) I know none of those party leaders could hear me as I shot back my peanut-gallery-esque comments, but I did it all the same. So, after that long-awaited episode of plain-old REALITY on T.V., I was left with the thought: what more can be done to stimulate this kind of discussion at other times of the year? Any suggestions? I mean, I don’t need empty election promises twice a year, but it was just so refreshing to have a bit of dialogue on the issues. So, to the very impersonal entity that is Canadian Democracy my sincerest thanks, I *heart* the Federal Leadership Debate.