Federal leaders gearing up for election debates. What are they working on? – National [Video]

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As the federal party leaders prepare to face off in debates in Montreal this week, experts say they’re likely working on positive body language and polishing their French skills.

Dan Arnold, chief strategy officer at Pollara and former pollster for the Trudeau Liberals, said the leaders probably have been taking part in “mock debates” in rented-out studios with their teams before the big show.

Those debates are probably recorded, to allow the campaign teams to analyze what worked and what didn’t in terms of communication and body language.

Arnold said Trudeau did “at least half a dozen if not more” mock leadership debates before the 2015 campaign actually started. Given his chaotic year, he said, Liberal Leader Mark Carney may not have had as much time to prepare as other candidates.

Arnold said most campaigns …