Leaders' debate sends parties' social media into overdrive
Parties take to Twitter after the debate in support of their leaders
Social media has been a hotbed for political discourse throughout the federal election campaign, with all three major parties having an active presence on Facebook and Twitter. There was no exception to this trend during the Globe and Mail leaders' debate.
The day started on social media with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau posting a video on Twitter of him canoeing.
"In a long campaign like this, you've got to find time for calm amid the action," Trudeau says in the video. "Stay true. Shut out all of that noise. Recharge. And remember what you're fighting for."
Nothing like taking some time out to focus – and remember why we do this. See you tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/globedebate?src=hash">#globedebate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://t.co/VOzUTZBCIg">https://t.co/VOzUTZBCIg</a>
—@JustinTrudeauGreen Party Leader Elizabeth May hosted a pre-debate interview on Periscope from a Victoria, B.C., church. She also posted video responses on her Twitter account with the help of Twitter Canada.
Sorry, Mr. Harper. Fact check. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GlobeDebate?src=hash">#GlobeDebate</a> <a href="http://t.co/YaPNgdmtbn">pic.twitter.com/YaPNgdmtbn</a>
—@ElizabethMayThe debate, hosted by the Globe and Mail, started with a panel of the newspaper's own staff offering their insights into the campaign and the upcoming debate. Many on Twitter lamented the slow start.
Minutes prior to the debate, the Conservatives posted two separate Vines to Twitter, attacking the NDP and the Liberals respectively.
We can't afford the NDP! <a href="https://t.co/urdp6ww11N">https://t.co/urdp6ww11N</a>
—@CPC_HQLiberals will run permanent, multi-billion dollar deficits! <a href="https://t.co/mbWhuv5f1z">https://t.co/mbWhuv5f1z</a>
—@CPC_HQAll three parties posted material on Twitter during the debate, with some being more active than others. They also shared information on Facebook throughout the night.
According to Twitter Canada, Stephen Harper didn't have anyone tweet from his account, while Justin Trudeau's account tweeted 58 times, Thomas Mulcair's account tweeted 27 times, and Elizabeth May's account tweeted 43 times.
On immigration, Mr. Harper will have to explain what he means by "old stock Canadians". <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GlobeDebate?src=hash">#GlobeDebate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a>
—@JustinTrudeau"We want to help people get ahead and make their lives easier." —Tom Mulcair <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GlobeDebate?src=hash">#GlobeDebate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ready4Change?src=hash">#Ready4Change</a> <a href="http://t.co/zZgBRnB6C3">http://t.co/zZgBRnB6C3</a>
—@ThomasMulcairIt's time to end poverty. We need a guaranteed annual income. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GlobeDebate?src=hash">#GlobeDebate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="http://t.co/mZcDKKm3aR">pic.twitter.com/mZcDKKm3aR</a>
—@ElizabethMayThe parties were also actively retweeting others with like-minded opinions.
During the debate, the hashtags #elxn42 and #GlobeDebate were trending on Twitter. Many commented on the "haunted house" atmosphere of the debate backdrop.
Once the debate had concluded, the Liberals, the Greens, and the NDP took to Twitter in support of their respective candidates' performance.
Tom Mulcair wins leaders’ debate on the economy <a href="http://t.co/fHzkLcFa4y">http://t.co/fHzkLcFa4y</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDP?src=hash">#NDP</a>
—@NDP_HQ.<a href="https://twitter.com/ElizabethMay">@ElizabethMay</a> dominated the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GlobeDebate?src=hash">#GlobeDebate</a>. Check out her Video-Tweet highlight reel. <a href="https://t.co/BnNqCbIU2C">https://t.co/BnNqCbIU2C</a>
—@CanadianGreensTrudeau to Harper: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/elxn42?src=hash">#elxn42</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GlobeDebate?src=hash">#GlobeDebate</a> <a href="http://t.co/gRnxCsKQb6">pic.twitter.com/gRnxCsKQb6</a>
—@liberal_party