By Canadian Press

The Latest: Four federal party leaders square off in French language debate

Sep 2, 2021 | 5:20 PM

MONTREAL — The Latest on the French-language leaders’ debate among Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet (all times local):

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8:10 p.m.

The pandemic is the first theme of the debate, with Blanchet pressing Trudeau on his reasons for triggering an election as the fourth wave gained momentum.

Blanchet raises the risks of campaigning at this time, and suggests Trudeau has been breaching public health measures while taking selfies in close quarters with members of the public while out on the hustings.

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He asks whether Trudeau would have sent voters to the polls at this time if he had a majority government.

Trudeau says now is the time for the federal government to make big decisions and Canadians need to be given the chance to weigh in — a similar answer to what he’s given throughout the campaign when pressed on this issue.

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7:40 p.m.

The four leaders taking part in tonight’s debate have arrived at the TVA studio, where they were welcomed by several dozen protesters and a heavy police presence.

Most of the demonstrators were carrying flags for the Unifor and CUPE unions, though they were also joined by protesters from environmental groups.

As they walked in, the leaders were greeted by Pierre Karl Péladeau, chief executive of Quebecor, which controls the network’s owner Groupe TVA.

The debate, which is the first of the election campaign, is set to begin at 8 p.m.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 2, 2021.

The Canadian Press