Quebec English leaders' debate called off after Legault, PQ refuse to participate

Quebec's English-language leaders' debate for this fall'sprovincial election has been called off after two party leaders, including Premier Franois Legault, refused to participate.

The event was being organized by a consortium of English-language media,made up of CBC, CTV, Global and CJAD.

The group had invited the leaders of the province's five main political parties: The Coalition Avenir Qubec, the Liberal Party of Quebec, Qubec Solidaire, the Parti Qubcois and the Conservative Party of Quebec.

On Friday, a spokesperson for Legault confirmed the premier had said no to the invite.

"We have declined invitations for two debates, including one in English," said EwanSauves. "One must understand that each debate requires significant and non-negligible preparation time."

The spokesperson also said Legault would take part in French-language debates organized by TVA and Radio-Canada.

The Parti Qubcois also announced it would not participate in the English debate. In a tweet, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, the party's leader, said "the official and common language of Quebec is French."

With two of the main five party leaders refusing the invite, the English-language media consortium has decided to cancel the event.

"The goal was to allow all Quebecers to hear the party leaders discuss, debate and question their vision and priorities for Quebec and help all voters make an informed choice," reads a statement from the group.

"Without the participation of all the main party leaders, the English-language media consortium representatives agree it would not be a fair and informative exercise."

In 2018, Legault and other provincial party leaders participated in a live, televised English debate a first in Quebec's history.

The only other English, provincial leaders' debate in Quebec took place in 1985. It was a radio-only affair featuringLiberal Leader Robert Bourassaand PQ leader Pierre-Marc Johnson.

In a statement, Quebec Liberal Party Leader Dominique Anglade described Legault'srefusal to participate as "deplorable."

"Franois Legaultis turning his back to a part of the Quebec population," Anglade said.

The English debate would have taken place on Sept. 20at the Nouvelle Maison Radio-Canada in downtown Montreal.

The next provincial election is set for Oct. 3.