First official leaders debate of the provincial election will be live on NEWS1130.com and on BT Vancouver

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – This morning, BC Liberal Leader Christy Clark, BC NDP Leader John Horgan and BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver sat down for our 90-minute leadership debate, the first ahead of next month’s provincial election.

The event was moderated by award-winning broadcast journalist Bill Good.

On one hand, Good knew his job was to keep everyone in line while preventing them from talking over each other and from things getting out of hand. “I look at my role as primarily being a traffic cop and trying to make sure everybody gets fair treatment in terms of being given an opportunity to answer a question.”

However, the veteran broadcaster says the key is to hold all three accountable if that question skirts around one issues. “I’ll sometimes challenge them if they haven’t actually addressed the question that was answered [or asked], but for the most part I’m just trying to be a fair arbiter.”

In an interview prior to the debate, Good said he expects the trio to be professional during the debate. “What I try to encourage is that they not speak over each other, that they not get into arguments where nobody can be heard and the audience gets frustrated.”

The debate was split into two. The party leaders will take turns answering questions from Good before taking some from you and they’ll have the chance to respond to each other. “I’ll try and make that really clear off the top. But also give each candidate a fair opportunity to answer the questions that we put to each of them and for them to follow up on each other’s answers.”

He adds there is a lot riding on this debate for the leaders. “On a rare occasion, a candidate is able to really stand out and make a point that resonates with the audience and actually wins over some people who are either undecided or decided to change their vote.”

For highlights of the debate along with the breaking news, traffic, and weather you’ve come to trust from us, keep listening to NEWS 1130 radio. The debate will also be available on our YouTube channel for on-demand playback anytime.