Our federal election is less than two weeks away. This election, like many before it, will shape Canada’s future. Tonight and tomorrow night, the leaders of the federal parties will face off against each other on televised debates. Both debates will be held in Montreal. There will be a French debate tonight and an English debate tomorrow night. The French debate tonight was scheduled to start at 8 o’clock.

But wait, the Montréal Canadiens are playing hockey tonight! The Habs will be playing the Carolina Hurricanes. Montreal has a chance to clinch a playoff spot tonight. It would be in their first playoff appearance since 2021.

Merde!! What are Canadiens fans to do? Watch the debate, which many Quebecers will want to do, given how the Trump circus could affect Quebec society. Or, watch their beloved Habs clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2021. Sacre Bleu!!

This is Canada. We have our priorities. The Leaders Debate Commission put out the following statement.

“Citizens will be able to catch this crucial moment in the election campaign while also following the decisive periods of the hockey game that could put the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs.”

The debate has been moved up to 6 o’clock eastern time. The Canadiens game will start at seven. So people watching the debate on TV, might miss the first period of the game or might have to get their iPads or phones and watch the first period on these devices. If the debate had remained at 8 o’clock, people watching the debate would’ve missed the crucial second and third period of the hockey game.

Only in Canada, eh. Elbows up.