French-language leaders' debate: 5 feisty exchanges

The first French-language leaders' debatetouched on a number of hot button issues from Muslim women wearing the niqab at citizenship ceremonies to the NDP'sstance on Quebec sovereignty.

• Some key quotes from the French-language debate
• Niqab, Senate, economy trigger hot exchanges in French-language debate

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, positioned in the middle, was on the offensive throughout most of the debate, taking heat from all sides on these issues.

We've compiled a list of the feistiest exchanges from the debate.

1. The niqabat citizenship ceremonies

Federal leaders debate niqab policy

9 years ago

Duration 4:09

Justin Trudeau, Gilles Duceppe, Tom Mulcair and Stephen Harper debate the plan to ban Muslims from wearing the facial covering at citizenship ceremonies.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper:"Our position for a longtime has been when someone joins the Canadian family,we should nothide our identity and it's the reason for which we believe newcitizens should take the oath without a covering, but Mr.Mulcair, Iwill never tell my young daughter that a woman should cover her facebecause she's a woman."

NDP Leader TomMulcair: "Attack the oppressors, don't attackwomen ... attack the oppressor if you believe there is oppression inthere and have the courage to do so. But it's not by depriving thesewomen of their citizenship and theirrights that you'll be able tohelp them."

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May: "This is a fake debate,we're in the middle of an election campaign and we have realchallenges in Canada. What is the impact of theniqabon theeconomy? What is the impact of theniqabon climate change? What isthe impact of theniqabon the jobless? It is a false debate meantas distraction from the real challenges for Canada."

Bloc Qubcois Leader GillesDuceppe: "The first bill the BlocQubcoiswill introduce is forbidding voting wearing afacecovering, oath of citizenship or granting services with a facecovering."

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau: "Mr.Duceppe, the people athome know very well what you're doing, it's a challenge you want topush to distract them from the fact you can't make a difference intheir lives. We have a plan to relaunch the economy, to invest infamilies, that's what we want to talk about."

2. The referendum on Quebec independence

Mulcair, Trudeau and Harper debate refugee crisis

9 years ago

Duration 2:08

Stephen Harper defends his record as Tom Mulcair and Justin Trudeau accuse his government of inaction on the Syrian refugee crisis

Mulcair:"I was dumbfounded to hear Mr.Trudeauopen thedebate in English that he didn't have confidence with Quebecers withthe normal rules of democracy. These were the rules in 1980 and 1995referendums; I was there. Ibattled to keep Canada united, I don'thave any lesson to be learned from anyone because I think it'sbetter foreveryone to stay together. But I respect democracy, I ama democrat and I don't accept what was sufficient to break up GreatBritain is not applied here. Mr.Trudeausays it'll take a lot morethan a majority, but he refuses to say how much."

Trudeau:"I've said the same thing in French and in English.Mr.Mulcairlikes to talk about it in French, but he doesn't talkabout 50 per cent plus one in English. For me, I follow the SupremeCourt of Canada ... The Supreme Court hassaid unanimously that onlyone vote would not be enough ...

Mulcair:"Completely false ... pure invention."

Trudeau:"... separate Quebec from Canada, a prime minister shouldfight for the unity of the country, and it won't surprise anyonethat's what I intend to do."

Mulcair:"It's false the Supreme Court says it must be clearat a qualitative level the question, the way of counting votes,the money spent and on a quantitative terms, in a democracy, whoeverwins, wins."

(Arguing ensues betweenMulcairandTrudeau)

Harper:"I took positions on all these questions 20 years ago... since this time, 20 years, Quebecers have been clear: they don'twant another referendum. I don't intend to re-open these debateshere. The real debate today is on theeconomy, on our values, onsecurity ..."

3. Right to die legislation

Harper: "Health care is delivered by the provinces and werespect their jurisdiction. As for the decision by the SupremeCourt, we will continue to look at this decision. We've establisheda consultative committee to develop to response that respects thedecision and protects the interest of doctors, patients, handicappedpeople, the elderly.Certainly, we must modify the Criminal Code inaccordance with the Supreme Court decision and we will do so."

Trudeau: "The Liberal party supports this because weunderstand to what it's important to protect the most vulnerable,but also respect the rights and liberties of all. We asked theHarper government to launch the consultations right away and Mr.Harper dragged his feet and didn't want to look at the extraordinaryexample of Quebec that showed it could be done with respect."

Mulcair: "It's true it's a delicate case, but nothing stopsthe federal government from taking action, they are the onesresponsible for the Criminal Code. I can guarantee you one thing,the NDP will have a free vote, never would Imuzzle anyone on it.That's why it must be a consultation that is real, large andsincere."

4. Bulk water exports

A heated exchange between Trudeau and Mulcair over water exports

9 years ago

Duration 1:05

Justin Trudeau and Tom Mulcair argue over Mulcair's record as Quebec's environment minister.

Trudeau: "We're speaking of oil today, but in the years to come there's a lot of concerns surrounding exporting water. Mr. Mulcair likes to talk about the fact that he was the environment minister here in Quebec. But as minister he was proposing exporting bulk water to the United States. I'd like to know: why would even think of doing that?

Mulcair: This is spectacularly false.

Trudeau: Not all. We have you saying it on tape!

Mulcair: This shows that he totally lacks experience.

Trudeau: You're on the tape, Mr. Mulcair!

5. The Syrian refugee crisis and the death of Alan Kurdi

Mulcair and Trudeau debate Quebec sovereignty

9 years ago

Duration 1:34

NDP leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau spar over the Clarity Act at the French language leaders debate.

Mulcair: "That little boy had a name. His name was Alan Kurdiand his family had attempted to begin the process through one of ourmembers. All of this was given to the (Immigration Minister Chris)Alexander ... the reality isAlexander did nothing ... the realityis Chris Alexander has not told the truth to journalists, has nottold the truth to Canadians since the beginning. The United Nationsasked us to take in 9,000 from now until Christmas, the United
Nations asked us to accept 46,000 in the next four years, we will doit.

Harper:"This story from the NDP is entirely false and it hasalready been proven."

Mulcair:"That's not true."

Harper:"The NDP should apologize to Mr. Alexander."

Mulcair:"It's you who should apologize, Mr. Harper."