Party leaders take to stage for 1st debate
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 | 8:12 AM ET
CBC News
Nova Scotians get their first chance Tuesday to see the province's main political leaders go head-to-head.
The leaders debate, co-hosted by CBC and the Chronicle Herald, will air on CBC-TV and be live-streamed on cbc.ca/ns starting at 7 p.m. AT.
NDP Leader Darrell Dexter was preparing for the event Monday.
"I think people are always a little nervous going into debates. But you know, I'm going to be well prepared and we'll just see how it goes," he said.
Progressive Conservative Leader Rodney MacDonald was huddled with his campaign team all day. Spokesman Jordi Morgan called the debate an important event.
"It gives the premier an opportunity to put forward our platform, our plan, show Nova Scotians how we're going to govern and take a look at the other parties and the deficiencies in their plans or lack of plans," Morgan said.
The debate will be a first for Stephen McNeil, who took over the reins of the Liberal party two years ago. But when asked about the importance of this debate, he downplayed its significance.
"It's just part of the process," said McNeil. "It will be the first time Nova Scotians get a chance to see me, but it won't be make-or-break for me or my campaign."
The three party leaders will take questions from CBC and Herald reporters during the one-hour debate.
Nova Scotia Green party Leader Ryan Watson will watch from the sidelines. The party, which received about two per cent of the popular vote in the last provincial election, has not been invited to participate.
CBC says it's using the broadcast to focus on the three leaders who have a realistic chance of becoming the next premier.
The network made a similar call in the recent B.C. provincial election. In that case, the Green party was included in the debate, but the Conservatives, who had only two per cent of the popular vote, were excluded.
Watson is disappointed he won't be part of Tuesday's debate.
"We certainly have a unique and important contribution to make, and we would really like to see the dialogue raised a notch and contribute to that. Unfortunately, with us not being invited, we won't be able to contribute in that way," he said.
The Green party plans to release its platform on Friday. Watson said it will not include a provincial tax on carbon because the party supports a federal carbon tax.
A second leaders debate is scheduled for June 2, when the questions will come from voters, not journalists.
