OTTAWA — Get ready for a political spectacle! Federal party leaders are set to clash in not one, but two highly anticipated televised debates in mid-April. While a proposed third debate by Quebec broadcaster TVA has been scrapped over funding issues, the spotlight will shine brightly on the debates organized by the Leaders' Debates Commission.

Mark your calendars for April 16 and 17, when the French-language debate will kick off, followed by the English-language debate the next evening. Both events are to be held at the iconic Radio-Canada studios in Montreal, a fitting backdrop for this crucial political showdown.

The Leaders' Debates Commission, an independent body, is in the midst of finalizing which party leaders will be invited to participate. The anticipation is palpable, as the commission has set clear criteria for participation: leaders must satisfy at least two of three conditions. These include having at least one elected Member of Parliament, achieving a minimum of four percent support in aggregate polling four weeks before election day, or endorsing candidates in at least 90 percent of federal ridings.

Interestingly, the debate landscape has shifted with TVA announcing the cancellation of its head-to-head debate, "Face-a-Face." The broadcaster cited the Liberal Party's refusal to participate, saying they were "forced to cancel" after demanding $75,000 from each of the four main parties to cover production costs. In contrast, the Conservatives, NDP, and Bloc Quebecois expressed their willingness to pay this fee, highlighting the tensions among the parties.

Amid this backdrop, Liberal Leader Mark Carney has chosen to abstain from the TVA debate but is enthusiastic about participating in the two debates organized by the Leaders’ Debates Commission, according to Mohammad Hussain, a spokesperson for the Liberal campaign.

As Canadians gear up for these key debates, the stakes couldn't be higher. Which party leader will emerge victorious in the battle of ideas? Stay tuned to witness the unfolding drama that could shape the political landscape ahead of the upcoming federal election!