National News

MONTREAL — Stephen Harper will be working hard Thursday night to appeal to voters in Quebec, where the NDP’s orange wave washed away half of the Conservatives’ seats in the last election.

OTTAWA — Here are five reasons for Canadians to watch for tonight’s French language debate, the third of five such showdowns before the Oct. 19 federal election. The debate will be broadcast in French by Radio-Canada and live streamed online at ici.

OTTAWA — Here are five things to watch for in tonight’s French language debate as voters prepare to go to the polls in the Oct. 19 federal election: 1.

MONTREAL — Tom Mulcair will arrive at the first French-language debate with something no NDP leader has ever had in the important Quebec-anchored contest: the biggest target on his back.

OTTAWA — The leaders’ debate might be in French, but Elizabeth May clearly sees tonight’s exchange in Montreal as a chance to reach a broad sweep of Canadians with the Green message.

MONTREAL — When Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe appears in the leaders’ TV debate tonight, expect him to spend much of his time attacking one rival: the NDP’s Tom Mulcair.

MONTREAL — Twice now during the federal election campaign, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau brought photographers and television cameras with him to a boxing ring before a leaders debate.

MONTREAL — On the eve of the first French-language leaders’ debate of the federal election, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau visited his old trainer who helped him punch his way to victory against Sen. Patrick Brazeau in 2012.

OTTAWA — Whether or not women should have to uncover their faces when taking the oath of citizenship has become a wedge issue in the federal election.

OTTAWA — “Small business is the backbone of the middle class and the backbone of the Canadian economy. That’s why among our investments, cutting taxes for small businesses has been a key.” — Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.