Party leaders in Quebec agree to historic English-language debate

Quebec is one step closer to having a first-ever televised provincial leaders' debate in English, after leaders of all four main parties agreed to participate Tuesday.

A consortium of English-language media in Quebec including the CBC, CTV, Global, CJAD and the Montreal Gazette made a formal request last Friday to the four parties with MNAscurrently sitting in the National Assembly.

"I think there is much to tell the Anglo population of Quebec on how they've been taken for granted by the Liberals, and that's why I think for the first time we should have an English debate of the leaders,"Lise told reporters at the National Assembly Tuesday. "I'm looking forward to it."

"I'd be very happy to do this.It's normal that we conduct a debate in English, and I hope it takes place," Couillardsaidlater.

"I accept with great pleasureto hold a debate in English," Legaulttweeted Tuesday afternoon.

Qubec Solidaire'sco-spokespersonGabriel Nadeau-Dubois also said in a tweet that his party would "gladly participate."

Optimistic

The media consortium made a similar request in 2014, but at that time,PQ leader Pauline Marois refused, saying she didn't feel her English language skills were strong enough.

The only Englishdebate prior to that was a radio-only matchupin 1985 between Liberal leader Robert Bourassa and PQ leader Pierre-Marc Johnson.

Helen Evans, CBC'smanaging editor inQuebec, said Tuesday she's optimistic the debate will happen.

"We put this request in because we feel we have a chance of getting the debate this time," Evans said.

"All of the leaders,their English is strong enough for a debate.I think it's great thatthey're willing to do this."

Anglo votes could be 'critical'

CBCpolitical analyst and veteran political watcher Bernard St-Laurent said history shows there are no guarantees the English debate will go ahead.

"In the past, the parties haveagreed in principle, butas we got closer and closer to the election campaign, there were always excuses for why they couldn't do it," St-Laurent said.

However, he said,this time things may bedifferent.

He said in the current political climate with sovereignty on the backburner and the CAQ surging in the polls the anglophone vote ismore important than it'sbeenthe past.

"There's an interest for Mr. Legaultto show his stuff to the English community, and there's a strong motivation for Philippe Couillardto show he cares about the English community and wants to keep their vote," St-Laurent said.

Couillardshould be able to hold on to most of his predominantly anglophone ridings in Montreal, he said.

"It's in other areas of the province where the CAQcould make gains, and there are enough anglophonesto make a difference."

St-Laurent said that would include ridings in the Eastern Townships and around Quebec City,where, in a closely contestedriding,anglophone votes could become "critically important."

The media consortium is proposing a live debate to be held at the Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal on Sept.14.

The debate would be 75 or 90 minutes in length.

Evans said if the debate happens,CBCwill broadcast it live on television andradio and stream it online.