Leaders’ debate tonight

[projekktor id=’20337′]

It may only be the fourth full day of campaigning ahead of the October 19th election, but tonight’s leader’s debate could set the stage for the next ten weeks of the race to run the country.

The four federal party leaders will go head to head tonight as they face off in the first election debate, but this debate is being pitched as different from the traditional campaign debate.

Two of the party leaders spoke to the media ahead of tonight’s tilt.

Justin Trudeau came out swinging today in the boxing ring, while Tom Mulcair chose a more traditional media appearance and used words to pack a punch.

“Mr. Harper has given us 8 deficits in a row. $150 billion in new debt added for the future generations to bare and he’s got one of he worst job creation records in Canadian history.”

Elizabeth May says 11 weeks is too long for an election campaign and isn’t fair to tax payers.

“What Stephen Harper has done in changing the elections act to allow the Conservative party to reap more tax payers dollars is undoing years of work trying to create fair elections.”

Stephen Harper didn’t show face at all today ahead of the debate.

Political experts say that the leaders have a lot riding on this debate and their performances will set the tone for the rest of the campaign.

“I’m looking for a surprise from Justin Trudeau. He’s running third in the campaign. He’s got to get up into the pack pretty soon because if he stays in third place it will become a two man race.” says McMaster Political Science professor Henry Jacek.

Voters want the environment and the economy, child care and children with special needs and education to be among the topics addressed by the leaders.

Observers expect Harper, as Prime Minister, to be the target of most of the debate attacks. Many eyes will be on Mulcair who isn’t afraid to speak up in question period and is an experienced debater. While, Trudeau is the greenest of the bunch. Elizabeth May faced Harper in an election debate in 2008.

Leaders have been asked to keep their answers short and limit their closing statements to two minutes or less.