Liberals only big 3 party taking part in women's issues debate

Sudbury federal Liberal candidate Paul Lefebvre is calling on local NDP candidates to urge their leader, Thomas Mulcair, to participate in a national women’s issues debate organized by an alliance of Canadian women's organizations called Up for Debate.

Up for Debate organizers have cancelled the debate because Liberal leader Justin Trudeau is the only one of the big three party leaders who has agreed to participate, along with leaders from the Green Party and the Bloc.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper refused the invitation, and NDP leader Mulcair also declined, now saying he will only participate in debates if Harper does.

As recently as February, Mulcair boasted he was looking forward to participating in regular debates, especially a debate on women’s issues.

“Mulcair’s flip-flop on debates will limit the public discourse during this election, while Liberal leader Justin Trudeau is actively working to promote discourse,” said Lefebvre.

“I call upon local NDP candidates to urge their leader, Thomas Mulcair, to explain why he is allowing Harper to dictate his campaign activities, and therefore why they accept that he ignores discussing issues important to all Canadians and Sudburians, such as gender equality, on national stage,” Lefebvre concluded.