Federal Court judge denies Elizabeth May’s bid to join leaders’ debates

Following a swirl of controversy, several appeals to the public and even attempted legal action, Green party Leader Elizabeth May has officially been denied from participating in Tuesday’s televised leaders’ debates.

May lost in her last-ditch effort to get a spot in the televised leaders’ debates after Federal Court Justice Marc Nadon decided not to expedite and hear her case before the first debate.

The Green Party had hoped the court would agree to hear their case and make a ruling before the debates got underway next week.

Party lawyer Peter Rosenthal argued the guidelines used to decide who’s in the debates change with every election and are “constitutionally deficient.”

However, a lawyer for the media consortium running the debates argued the matter was far too complex to be heard fully within a matter of days.

The Green Party wanted a judicial review of a CRTC policy that gives broadcasters the power to not include all political parties in debates.

The media consortium running the debates insisted that only parties who possess seats in the last House of Commons can participate.

The French-language debate is scheduled to take place April 14.

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