OTTAWA – The Green Party is working toward forming a balance of power in the House of Commons. Party leader Elizabeth May participated in the Maclean’s Leader’s Debate last week, and are expressing concern over how the Green Party Leader was treated by New Democrat leader Tom Mulcair.

In a statement from Julian Morelli, Director of Communications for the Green Party of Canada:

“On Thursday, Canadians watched Green Party Leader Elizabeth May engage with the other party leaders on a wide variety of topics during the Maclean’s National Leaders Debate. As a result, an overwhelming number of Canadians said very clearly they want to hear more of what Ms. May has to say.

“Surprisingly, Mr. Mulcair recently announced ‘conditions‘ that never existed until recently regarding his participation in debates. Mr. Mulcair’s threat to pull out of the National Broadcasters’ Debates underscores his intention to deny Canadians their right to hear from leaders about what they would do if elected. The fact is that in 2011, over 14 million Canadians tuned in the watch the debates hosted by the National Broadcasters.

“As we understand it, Tom Mulcair unconditionally agreed to participate in the Up for Debate proposal that was put forward in the fall of 2014, to discuss women’s issues. His recently announced conditions put into question whether or not he will participate.

“It’s also amazing that in one breath, Mr. Mulcair would say that more debates contribute to the democratic process, but yet in another, he refuses to face Canadians head on in a national leaders’ debate.

“A recent article in the Canadian Press outlined Mr. Mulcair’s conditions for his participation in future debates. In the article, Thomas Mulcair stated that he will only participate in debates with Stephen Harper and all of the ‘main’ party leaders. Is Mr. Mulcair insinuating that Elizabeth May is not one of the ‘main leaders’? He also stated in an interview with the CBC that it doesn’t make sense to participate in debates without Stephen Harper – we on the other hand, believe that it makes perfect sense with or without Stephen Harper. Canadians need to know as much as they can on where the leaders stand on issues.

“Mr. Mulcair has now sent a clear signal to Canadians that he only wants to talk to them on his terms.”

Green Party leader Elizabeth May was in Thunder Bay and Nipigon over the weekend, her team did not respond to an interview request.