TVA cancels debate it asked political parties to pay for

Quebecor Inc. property TVA asked federal political parties to pay to take part in a proposed French language debate but cancelled the debate after the Liberal Party declined to join. TVA was asking each of the four parties it invited to participate to pony up $75,000 to help cover the costs of hosting the debate. The Liberals decided not to take part, with Leader Mark Carney saying it was because the Green Party was not invited. He did not mention the entry fee TVA was seeking. The Montreal Gazette reported, citing a party source, that there was a reluctance to pay for the debate. “The main political parties had until Monday to confirm their participation,” the network said in a statement sent to The Wire Report. “Unfortunately, although the Bloc Québécois, the Conservative Party of Canada, and the NDP accepted the broadcaster's invitation, TVA regrets to announce that it is forced to cancel the presentation of this face-to-face debate due to the Liberal Party of Canada's refusal to participate.” All of this is confusing to Christopher Waddell, a professor emeritus at Carleton University’s School of Journalism. “I think it’s quite surprising and certainly inappropriate,” he tells The Wire Report in an interview about TVA’s request for assistance from parties in funding the debate. “Putting on a debate with leaders during an election campaign by a broadcaster should be seen just as its general public responsibility.” He points out that parent company Quebecor had a successful fiscal year last year. The company reported revenues of $5.64 billion in 2024, an increase of $204 million or 3.8 per cent from a year earlier. “If they want to do this, surely within the corporate structure of the company they can find the money to put it on and say it is part of their responsibility of serving the community and serving their audiences,” Waddell states. TVA did not make anyone available for an interview with The Wire Report. The professor, who also served as Parliamentary bureau chief for the Globe and Mail and for CBC/Radio-Canada, is disappointed the debate is not taking place. The TVA network has in the past offered a better format for debates than its competitors, he opines. NDP deputy leader Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Que.) was critical of the Liberals for not taking part in the debate, saying it is "very insulting to Quebec." The Liberals nor the Conservatives responded to Wire Report's requests for comment by deadline. ppark@thewirereport.ca

TVA cancels debate it asked political parties to pay for

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By Paul Park
| March 26, 2025

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TVA cancels debate it asked political parties to pay for

Broadcast | By Paul Park | March 26, 2025

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By Paul Park
| March 26, 2025