May not welcome in leaders' debates: networks

Green Party Leader Elizabeth Maysays she's shocked by a decision to exclude her from the televised partyleaders' debates but determined to take part.

"This is an unacceptable, outrageous, high-handed attempt to shut down democracy in this country," May told CBC News.

May said the decision was made by a group of peoplewith no set rules or criteria.

"Im really in shock. Ithoughtthis matter was settled and I think mostCanadians thought it was settled."

Shequestioned how a party like the Bloc Qubcois which only fields candidates in Quebec can be included, but her party, with candidates in each riding, is shut out of the debate.

The broadcast consortium is made up of representatives fromCBC, Radio-Canada, CTV, Global and TVA.

Spokesman Marco Dub confirmedthe group decided unanimously that a formal proposal will only be made to the leaders ofrecognized parties in the House of Commons Conservative, Liberal, NDP and Bloc Qubcois.

"The representation of parties in the House was one important factor, but we're not going to give more information on the other criteria," Dub said.

"This is a programming decision. The Broadcasting Act is clear: the decision on the leader's debates is a broadcast consortium decision."

The consortiumwill bepresentingproposals ondebate formatsto thefour parties this week, he said.

May was initially excluded from the debates in the 2008 election, but a public outcryforced other party leaders to agree to her participation.

She said Tuesday that she is "absolutely determined" to take part this time andwould consider legal action. But shealso called on Canadians to contact the broadcasters to allow her to participate.

Ignatieff wants 1-on-1 debate with Harper

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said he believes May should be included in the debate, butadded he'd also like to have a one-on-one debate with Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.

The Conservative Partysaidit would accept the consortium's decision and believes May is "fully capable of arguing her own case."

Meanwhile, NDP campaign spokeswoman Kathleen Monk said that her party is "fine" withMay beingin the debate and that there should be clear criteria for who is allowed to participate.

"We believe in open debates that are based on consistent and understood rules," Monk said in a statement. "We support consistent criteria that outlines who is included and why.

"If certain leaders are not invited to participate, I think it is reasonable for them to know why."

May is runningin the B.C. riding ofSaanich-Gulf Islands, just outside Victoria, against Tory Gary Lunn, the Conservative government's minister of state for amateursport.