Article content

The party leaders in the 2019 federal election were studying hard Thursday afternoon, brushing up on their policies and practicing their zingers ahead of the first leaders debate.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Leaders' debate recap: 'We can all sing Kumbaya and keep going' Back to video

Well, not all of them. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau decided to skip the debate entirely. He will attend only one English language debate before the Oct. 21 election. English Canada won’t get to see Trudeau tussle with his opponents until Oct. 7.

Photo by Gary Clement / National Post

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May stared at an empty podium, as they looked to get an edge on the absent Liberal leader.

The debate was moderated by Maclean’s writer Paul Wells and covered four major issues: the economy, Indigenous issues, energy and the environment and foreign policy.

Below, some of the highlights from the debate.

9:45 p.m. — Singh thanks viewers “for sticking with us this long.” He says the NDP won’t be fighting “for the powerful” but for average Canadians.

9:43 p.m. — Scheer’s closing comments centre almost entirely on cost-of-living issues. Taxes, home heating and a government that “lives within its means.”