TORONTO — The Green Party says it is prepared to go to court to have Leader Elizabeth May included in the leaders' debates in the run up to the expected Oct. 14 federal vote.
The party says it will only resort to legal action if other efforts to gain access to the televised debates controlled by a consortium of TV networks fail.
Former party leader Jim Harris says the party is giving the consortium of five broadcasters the chance to allow Ms. May to participate in the debates.
If the demand is refused, a complaint will be lodged with the CRTC. If that fails, the party will seek a judicial review of the decision by the broadcast regulator.
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“We're giving them the chance to do the right thing,” Mr. Harris told a news conference Wednesday.
“For the sake of democracy she has to be included...electors have a right to know where the Green party stands.”
The party says the broadcast consortium exercises control over who participates in the debates but lacks clear rules on who should be included.
The Greens say they have wide support among voters, as well as a sitting member of Parliament — former Independent Blair Wilson, who joined the party last week.
The Conservatives are trying to block May and Liberal Leader Stephane Dion from the debates because the two signed a deal agreeing not to run candidates against each other.
