Carney Withdraws from French Debate, Sparks Backlash

Liberal Party Leader Mark Carney is facing significant criticism after he backed out of a key French-language debate organized by TVA, just hours after initially confirming his participation. The debate was expected to be a crucial platform during the election campaign, but without Carney, it has been canceled. Carney stated that he changed his mind because the Green Party leaders were not invited, which drew ire from other party leaders, including Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who accused him of being 'too afraid' to debate in French. The TVA had required a $75,000 fee from each party to participate, which contributed to the controversy surrounding Carney's decision. His withdrawal raises questions about his ability to engage with Quebec voters effectively, especially given the importance of this demographic in federal elections. Carney's team has indicated he looks forward to participating in the official debates organized by the Leaders’ Debates Commission later this month.