Five things to know about NDP's (mostly) French debate in Montreal

OTTAWA — The five contenders to lead the NDP will meet in Montreal on Thursday evening in what could be a critical opportunity for candidates to build buzz in a wide-open race .

NDP insiders are also hoping the first official debate of the party leadership campaign will help the NDP revitalize its brand in Quebec, with the 2011 Orange Crush now a distant memory.

“Engaging Quebecers in this leadership race is essential to building a strong and united NDP,” said the party’s lone Quebec MP Alexandre Boulerice in a statement announcing the debate’s location.

“As we look to the future of our Party, we must continue to connect with members from across the country, while recognizing the crucial role Quebec plays in our movement,” said Boulerice.

Here are five things to know before tuning into the debate:

The all anglophone crop of contenders will be given a bit of grace, with debate organizers announcing an official language breakdown of 60 per cent French and 40 per cent English. Contestants have also been given the option to wear earpieces translating the French bits to English. A party spokesman told National Post that the earpieces were okayed after “after a number of contestants specifically asked for (them).”

The 60:40 ratio will be strictly enforced. “If a contestant chooses to answer in English in a section designated to be in French, they will be cut off by the moderator,” read debate rules circulated to the media.

It’s not just the candidates who need to fork over an entrance fee to take part in the debate. Members of the press covering the event must pay for technical accommodations. These range in cost from $100 for basic hardline internet access to $2,000 for the full broadcast package.

The deluxe package also includes access to a “dedicated media space” for “unilateral hits” and on-site coffee and tea services.

All eyes will be on the three early favourites: Edmonton MP Heather McPherson, documentary filmmaker Avi Lewis and union leader Rob Ashton. A recent first-impressions survey  from Pollara showed all three in the mix, with McPherson holding the early edge in name recognition at 20 per cent.

McPherson also made a good first impression with white-collar workers, degree holders and immigrants. Ashton excited blue collar workers, lower income earners, and those without university degrees.

Pollara Chief Strategy Officer Dan Arnold told National Post these early impressions are far from set in stone.

“I don’t think any of the candidates are well known, so it’s a chance for all of them to kind of to introduce themselves to voters at this point,” said Arnold.

Also on hand will be Campbell River, B.C. city councillor Tanille Johnston and organic farmer Tony McQuail.

While the race has seen few fireworks so far, McPherson did ruffle some feathers by calling for the party to relax ideological purity tests at her Sep. 28 campaign launch. Fellow NDP MP Leah Gazan said soon after that she was “appalled and deeply disappointed” by McPherson’s framing, calling it dismissive of marginalized voices within the party.

Lewis echoed this sentiment at an October candidates’ forum in Ottawa, telling reporters that McPherson shouldn’t be “using language that the right uses to slam the left.”

Johnston recently told National Post that she’d voiced concerns about McPherson’s “word choice” at an event with other leadership candidates in Saskatoon, adding that she was “disheartened” that the language was later “doubled down on.”

Johnston said she hadn’t had a chance to raise the issue directly with McPherson but hoped to do so soon.

One keen debate watcher will be host Alexandre Boulerice, who will kick off the evening’s agenda with a welcome message. Boulerice, the sole surviving MP from the NDP’s 59-seat Quebec haul in 2011, has been cited in the province’s media as a highly sought-after endorser and possible leadership race kingmaker.

Boulerice told National Post last month that the Montreal debate could go a long way in determining which candidate he puts his support behind.

National Post rmohamed@postmedia.com

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