Why Canada’s Federal Election Debates May No Longer Hold the Power They Once Did
Let’s talk about the upcoming federal leaders’ debates in Canada—April 16 in French and April 17 in English. Traditionally, these debates were pivotal moments in an election. They shaped public opinion, helped undecided voters make choices, and sometimes even shifted the momentum of a campaign. But today, things have changed. We’re in a very different political and media landscape now, and there’s growing skepticism about just how much these debates really matter.
Former Conservative cabinet minister James Moore recently shared a compelling perspective: debates just don’t have the same impact they used to. And frankly, it’s hard to disagree. Between social media algorithms, rapid-fire news cycles, and increasingly polarized political bubbles, most Canadians have already formed strong opinions before the first question is even asked on stage.
But despite that, public interest in what topics are supposed to be covered in the debates is still alive. A new Abacus Data poll shows that Canadians are coming in with some very clear expectations. The top four issues they want addressed? The growing economic threat from Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, housing affordability, healthcare access, and jobs. That’s a pretty heavy lineup, and it shows where the country’s anxieties truly lie.
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What’s interesting is how these priorities vary by age and party alignment. Older Canadians overwhelmingly want leaders to address Trump—81% of people 60 and over said so, compared to only 57% of younger adults. Meanwhile, young voters are more fixated on housing affordability. Across the board, healthcare continues to be a major concern, especially for women and Liberal/NDP supporters.
But here’s where it gets tricky. Even with this data and all the buzz around the debates, most people probably won’t change their minds based on what’s said. The truth is, many Canadians today aren’t really watching to be convinced—they’re watching to confirm what they already believe. And the sound bites that make it out of the debates often end up chopped, reinterpreted, and spun on TikTok, Instagram, or X within minutes.
So while the debates are still a necessary part of the democratic process—and yes, they’ll get headlines and prime-time airtime—their influence is fading. What used to be a political showdown that could sway an election has become more like a performance for a fragmented audience already tuned into their preferred channel.
The question isn't whether we need debates, but whether we're actually listening to them with open minds anymore.
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