Election 2025: Here’s when the leaders’ debates will be held

The dates have been set for the party leaders’ debates in the upcoming federal election.

The Leaders’ Debates Commission said Monday the French-language debate will be held on April 16 at 9 p.m. eastern time, followed by the English-language debate on April 17 at 7 p.m.

Both debates will be held at the Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal, the independent commission said.

Party leaders will qualify for the debates if they meet two of three criteria:

• Their party held a seat in the House of Commons on the date the election was called;
• Have a national polling average of at least four per cent by March 31, or 28 days before the election date of April 28; and
• Have candidates endorsed in at least 90 per cent of federal ridings 28 days before the election

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The commission said it will announce which leaders have qualified for the debates on April 1.

TVO journalist Steve Paikin will moderate the English-language debate, while the French-language debate will be moderated by Radio-Canada journalist Patrice Roy.