Leaders debate to start earlier to accommodate NHL playoffs [Video]

OTTAWA—Wednesday’s French-language federal leaders’ debate has been moved two hours earlier to 6 p.m. to avoid a direct face off with a potentially crucial hockey game for the Montreal Canadiens.

The new time slot comes as the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet both suggested rescheduling the debate, with Singh saying in a statement that Quebecers were being asked “to choose between a critical democratic debate and cheering on the Habs in a must-win game.”