4 candidates to square off in 1st NDP leadership debate today

The four declared candidates to succeed Tom Mulcair as leader of the New Democratic Party face off in an opening debate in Ottawa today.

MPs Peter Julian from B.C., Charlie Angus from Ontario, Guy Caron of Quebec and Niki Ashton of Manitoba are the candidates who declared in time for today’s bilingual debate.

The event begins at 2 p.m. ET and runs for 90 minutes. CBC is carrying it live on CBCnews.ca, Facebook, YouTube and CBC News Network.

Unlike the crowded Conservative leadership race, which has seen up to 14 candidates battling to get their messages across, the smaller field of the NDP race allows for a more expansive debate format.

The NDP candidates will face questions in English and French as well as participating in open debate, quick “lightning round” QAs and debates between pairs of contestants.

The debate will be moderated by Karine Fortin, a former deputy national director of the party and director of communications for the leader’s office, and Tanya De Mello, an NDP candidate in the last election.

Article source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/first-ndp-leadership-debate-1.4020434?cmp=rss