News Release - 2008 Leaders' Debates

    OTTAWA, Sept. 8 /CNW/ - Canada's leading broadcasting networks today
announced plans for the Leaders' Debates during the general election campaign.
    The French language debate will be held at the National Arts Centre in
Ottawa on Wednesday October 1st from 8 to 10 pm EDT. The moderator will be
Stephan Bureau, a journalist and host.
    The English language debate will follow the next evening at the National
Arts Centre in Ottawa on Thursday October 2nd from 9 to 11 pm EDT. The
moderator will be Steve Paikin of TVO.
    The following Party Leaders will appear in the debates: Prime Minister
Stephen Harper of the Conservative Party of Canada, Leader of the Opposition
Stephane Dion of the Liberal Party, Jack Layton of the New Democratic Party
and Gilles Duceppe of the Bloc Quebecois.

    The Green Party:

    The Consortium approached the parties to explore the possibility of
including the Green Party in all or part of the Leaders' Debates. However,
three parties opposed its inclusion and it became clear that if the Green
Party were included, there would be no Leaders' Debates. In the interest of
Canadians, the Consortium has determined that it is better to broadcast the
debates with the four major party leaders, rather than not at all.

For further information: Jason MacDonald, Spokesperson for the Network
Consortium, T (416) 482-1357, C (647) 205-4744, macdonald@veritascanada.com