1.
GV: technicians setting up television studio in Ottawa, Canada. (2 shots)
0.08

2.
SV: National Democrat party (NDP) leader Ed Broadbent entering side entrance escorted by security officers.
0.16

3.
SV: Liberal Party counter-demonstration outside television studios with Liberal Party leader Joe Clark walking through crowd.
0.29

4.
SV: Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau pushing his way through demonstrators.
0.38

5.
GV AND CU INTERIOR: party leaders posing for photographers (3 shots)
0.48

6.
SV: programme in progress and studio with leaders during debate.
1.00

7.
SV: Prime Minister Trudeau speaking to newsmen as he enters car.
1.26

8.
SV: Mr Broadbent leaving building and speaking to newsmen.
1.31

9.
CU: Mr Clark speaking to newsmen.
1.49


DUFFY:"The networks spent weeks planning this debate. The one thing they had not counted on was this demonstration by a group of Ottawa area Conservatives, in support of Joe Clark. Security guards quickly opened up a side entrance, and N.D.P. leader Ed Broadbent got into the studio without seeing the Conservative demonstrators.



But by then, Liberal party organisers had mounted a counter demonstration of their own. And it was a mixture of cheers and boos as Conservative leader Joe Clark walked into the station. Prime Minister Mr. Trudeau arrived last. Rather than use a side door, Trudeau rode right into the middle of the mob.



In the studio, the three leaders posed for still photographers. During this procedure, they tried to make light banter. The attempt at humour, perhaps an indication of nervousness.



What Canadians actually saw tonight was a cross between a news conference and a genuine political debate. It was not exactly what the politicians had expected. After the broadcast the leaders talked about now they left."



REPORTER: Were you satisfied with the debate?"



TRUDEAU:"Oh yes. It was a great debate. But not long enough. I wish it had another couple of hours."



REPORTER:"What did you want to say that you didn't?"



TRUDEAU:"Oh, to talk more about energy."



REPORTER:"Would you rather not have had Mr. Broadbent in there. Just you and Mr Clark?"



TRUDEAU:"Oh no. I think Mr. Broadbent and Mr. Clark had a good debate. They covered some of the points that I would have covered...But not long enough."



REPORTERS: Who won, and What?"



BROADBENT:"The people of Canada will have to decide that."



CLARK:"Yes, I was pleased with the debate. I think it was a pretty fair reflection of the campaign, the issues that were addressed. I naturally would have preferred, as I said at the end, an opportunity to discuss more issues, but we got two hours and I was very pleased with the way things went."




Initials RH/


TELERECORDING
REPORTER: MIKE DUFFY

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: What was referred to in Canada as the Great Election Debate took place in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporations television studios in the capital city of Ottawa (on 13 May). The leaders of the three major parties discussed their policies and promises. The discussions were broadcast over Canada's three television networks and watched by an estimated six to eight million people. A crowd of demonstrators were at the studios when the Prime Minister Mr. Pierre Trudeau, the National Democrat leaders Mr Ed Broadbent and the Progressive Conservative Party leader Mr Joe Clark arrived for the debate. This report from the C.B.C.'s Mike Duffy.