The leaders’ debate on April 12 is shaping up to be the most exciting in decades, and it will be covered unlike any other Alberta election in history.
The debate, moderated by Global’s Gord Gillies and CTV’s Carrie Doll, will take place at Global Edmonton studios from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will broadcast on TV and radio and livestreamed and live-blogged on Global’s websites in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge.
After the live coverage, watch the web for the results of a Global News/CORUS poll by Ipsos surveying Albertans on who won, who lost and how respondents are likely to vote.
Global’s Vassy Kapelos, the Edmonton Journal’s Graham Thomson, CBC’s Kim Trynacity and CTV’s Chris Epp will be questioning the candidates.
The debate is often a highlight of any election campaign, but this time the stakes are extremely high. The polls show the Wildrose and Progressive Conservatives virtually tied in popular support, and the NDP and Liberals are impossible to count out in various ridings.
“I think it’s the first time since 1993 that we’ve gone into a debate not knowing who the government would be after the votes were counted,” said Calgary blogger Joey Oberhoffner, one of three bloggers who will be participating in Global’s live blog during the debate.
NDP Leader Brian Mason is the only leader who has participated in a provincial leaders’ debate before, so this will be voters’ first time to see Progressive Conservative Leader Alison Redford, Liberal Leader Raj Sherman and Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith in such a forum.
“I'm hoping to see how Alison Redford and Danielle Smith interact with each other,” said Jeff Henry, a Lethbridge blogger who will also be part of Global’s live blog. “It’s the first time we actually get to see them head-to-head, and I think it will be really exciting.”
For Dave Cournoyer, the Edmonton blogger participating in Global’s online debate coverage, the debate is also a chance for Sherman to get his party taken seriously, as the polls show the centre-left vote shifting towards the NDP.
“This is really going to be his opportunity to try to make the Liberal party relevant in this election,” Cournoyer said.
Cournoyer also noted that Alberta Party Leader Glenn Taylor, who was not invited to the debate, will be live-blogging his answers, “an interesting way of participating in the debate.”
After Cournoyer, Henry and Oberhoffner comment on the debate and converse with readers on the live blog, tune in to Global News at 11 for debate highlights and post-debate poll results.
Watch too for the view from the Morning News Viewer Panel, made up of three viewers who are enthusiastically following this election. They have been sharing their perspective Wednesday mornings during the campaign, and they will also watch the debate unfold and give their reaction.
Hear from them on the news following the debate, and again on the Morning News on April 18 and April 24.
© Shaw Media Inc., 2012. All rights reserved.