Article content

OTTAWA — The NDP says Tom Mulcair won’t participate in any leaders’ debates during the election campaign if they don’t include Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

In laying down that condition, the NDP has likely driven the final nail in the coffin of the traditional debates hosted by a consortium of the country’s largest broadcasters.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or NDP says Tom Mulcair won't debate if Harper won't; Elizabeth May furious at ‘doublecross’ Back to video

The Conservative party has already ruled out Harper’s participation in the consortium debates — one French, one English, proposed to take place less than two weeks before the Oct. 19 vote.

And unless Harper changes his mind, now Mulcair won’t take part either.

It’s doubtful the consortium will press ahead with its proposal without two of the three main party leaders.

Green party leader Elizabeth May reacted furiously Friday to the NDP’s debate conditions, accusing Mulcair of colluding with Harper to kill off the debates that would have the widest audience. And she said it’s all aimed at keeping her off centre stage throughout the campaign.