Health care, pandemic election call, climate change dominate leaders' French debate

Five party leaders sparred in French over their plans for climate change, COVID-19 vaccinations,and future health-care funding on Wednesday as the federal election campaign entered its final two weeks.

Liberal Leader Justin TrudeauandConservative Leader Erin O'Toolebore the brunt of the attacks during the two-hour debate, as the others on stage NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh,Green Party Leader Annamie Paul andBloc Qubcois Leader Yves-Franois Blanchet made their own pitches to Quebecers and French-speaking voters.

The debate opened with a question from moderator Patrice Roy about the prospect of another snap election if this vote results in another minority government.

Trudeau would not commit to respecting a four-year interval between elections, while O'Toole said he "absolutely" would.

WATCH: Trudeau and O'Toolespeak about the prospect of another snap election

Trudeau, O'Toole on what they would do if minority government is elected

3 years ago

Duration 2:16

During the first exchange of the official French-language leaders' debate, Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau respond to a question about not calling another snap election if a minority government is formed.

Singh latercriticized Trudeau for calling the election, calling it an "egotistical" decision.

"Why did you call this election?" Singh asked Trudeau."It made no sense to do this."

Trudeau, O'Toole spar over mandatory vaccines

Discussions about Canada's handling ofthe pandemic, vaccinationsand public health caredominated the early stages of the debate, with the leaders largely re-stating their established positions.

On mandatory vaccinations, Trudeau said restrictions that bar non-vaccinated people from travelling, going to restaurants andworking in some workplaceshave been effective measures to promote vaccination.

"Yes we need to inform, but we also need to demonstrate that it'sin [Canadians'] interest to be vaccinated," Trudeau said.

O'Tooleaccused Trudeau of politicizing the issue of vaccines and said a Conservative government would promote vaccinations while using other tools, such as rapid COVID-19 tests, for people who are not vaccinated.

"The middle of a pandemic is not the time to have an approach of division," the Tory leader said.

O'Toole was also pressed about his stance on public health care and the prospect of Canadians paying for access to some health services.

WATCH: Erin O'Toole on private health care access

O'Toole asked about private health care

3 years ago

Duration 1:07

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole is asked if Canadians should be allowed to pay out-of-pocket for surgeries, if they can afford to do so.

"I appreciate our public and universal system," he said in response.

O'Toole also promised stable and consistent health transfers to the provinces, without conditions on how the money must be used. However, new costing figures released today show the Conservatives plan on handing out relatively little of their promised health care funding over the next five years.

Climate change and the environment

Trudeau was the target of repeated attacks from other leaders over his recordonclimate change and reducing emissions during the debate round on the environment.

"We can't have another four years of Mr. Trudeau," said Singh, who noted that emissions have risen during Trudeau's time as prime minister. Singh said an NDP government would move to invest in renewable energy and electrify transportation.

Paul said the Greens would end federal support for the fossil fuel industry and said Canada's future depends on the development of renewable energy.

WATCH: Leaders debate how to balance the energy sector while reducing emissions

Federal leaders debate how Canada can be green and develop oil and gas industry

3 years ago

Duration 2:30

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party Leader Annamie Paul go after Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau over his role in being more environmentally friendly while developing the oil and gas industry in Canada.

O'Toole, meanwhile, said his party's plan would create jobs in the energy sector while also reducingemissions.

Blanchet suggested that idea would soon turn into a "pumpkin."

Indigenous issues

In the debate round on Indigenous issues, theleaders first fielded a question on the possibility of the federal government recognizing Indigenous languages as official languages under Canadian law. Only Singh and Paul said clearly that they supportthe idea.

Trudeau said valuing Indigenous languages is importantand he pointed to what he called the "difficult" decision to appoint Mary May Simon as Governor General. May Simonspeaks Inuktitut but not French.

"To me, that shows how much we must value these cultures, these languages, to advance together," Trudeau said.

The leaders later debated the lack of access to clean drinking water on some First Nations. Trudeau was accused ofdoing to little to improve accessbut said work is still underway to improve those conditions.

WATCH: Leaders discuss access to drinking water on First Nations

Singh, Trudeau, O'Toole on boil-water advisories

3 years ago

Duration 1:51

During the official French-language leaders' debate, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative Party Leader Erin O'Toole said promises from Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau to deliver clean drinking water to some Indigenous communities were broken. Trudeau said the work will be completed to eliminate boil-water advisories.

Child care plans

Trudeau also defended the Liberal plan to invest billions inCanada's child care system with the goal of creating spaces and reducing fees. O'Toole's partyplans to honour the Trudeau government's initial investments in child care, but he said a Conservative government would move toward a system of tax credits to help parents pay for child care.

"Our plan will help all families in Quebec," O'Toole said.

Trudeau responded by accusing O'Toole of not understanding how Quebec's system actually works. He saidthat, even with access to tax credits, low-income families would pay more for child care under the Conservative proposal.

"Inspired by Quebec, we will create 250,000 spaces across the country, and Mr. O'Toole wants to scrap all of that," Trudeau said.

Blanchet thanked Trudeau for complimenting Quebec's system, which has subsidized rates of $8.50 per day, and said the system is proof that Quebec is well-equipped to operate its own system.

Paul interjected shortly after, noting that she is the only woman on stage and should have a chance to speak about child care issues.

WATCH: Annamie Paul on the child care plans

Paul says male party leaders should 'let a woman speak' on child care

3 years ago

Duration 0:41

Green Leader Annamie Paul says she would have liked to see more child-care deals made before an election was called.

The official leaders' debates are organized by The Leaders' Debates Commission, a non-partisan and independent organization.

People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier was not invited to participate because the commission determined that his party did not have the required level of voter support four per cent five days after the date of the election call. Recent polling figures suggest the PPC has since overtaken the Greens in national support.