Coalition, Constitution, long guns dominate French-language leaders’ debates

OTTAWA – Like in the English debate on Tuesday, it was hard to say whether there was a clear winner in the French-language leaders’ debate.

Although Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff threw cold water on the idea from the beginning of the debate, Conservative lLader Stephen Harper continued to raise the threat of a Liberal, NDP and Bloc coalition.

Harper was repeatedly attacked for his plan to scrap the long gun registry and to cut corporate taxes.

The last part of the debate was dominated by talk of Quebec independence, with Harper saying sovereignty is no longer a main concern of Quebecers.

Harper added that he is committed to keeping the country together.

Some 3.85 million viewers tuned in to Tuesday’s broadcast on three different networks, which was an increase of 22 per cent over the 2008 leaders’ debates.

Pundits, for the most part, gave the initial round to Harper simply because he appeared unflappable and prime ministerial in the face of attacks from three opponents.

Holding the French language debate last is a break from tradition. It usually serves as a warm-up act to the more widely viewed English debate, and tends to focus on regional Quebec issues.

This election, polls suggest all four federal parties can win seats in Quebec, whose 75 ridings make it the second weightiest province, after Ontario, in the House of Commons.

If Harper is to win his coveted majority, he’ll need to maintain the 11 Conservative seats he had when his minority government fell on March 25.