Why Google is partnering with the media for election debates
Canada's 28th federal election campaign changed how Canadians engage with their democracy.
The debate, itself, wasn't new. Sitting across from one another in the House of Commons, these four leaders had been squaring off for weeks and months beforehand.
What made this such an important moment in our history were the millions of Canadians tuning in from across the country to watch as it was Canada's first nationally televised debate.
When the format and hosting of this year's debates was thrown wide open, Canadians from across the country had their own lively public exchange on the best format for a federal leaders debate. What's clear is that Canadians value the role these debates play in our democracy.
Many Canadians, however, are turning to more than television these days to get their news and stay connected.
From cord-cutters who rely exclusively on the Internet for content, to viewers of all ages who tune in on smartphones and tablets, our access to digital technology has opened the door to new platforms for viewership and engagement.
Canadians are spending more time online than ever. We can't go a day without checking our Facebook feed or Twitter streams.
We average more than 24 hours of online video viewing a month — five more hours than our neighbours to the south.
Three out of every four Canadians owns a smartphone, and nearly half of the views on YouTube come from mobile devices. According to ComScore data, YouTube reaches 89 per cent of Canadian internet users.
Today, news organizations understand this changing landscape, and as they prepare to cover the election they are developing tools and partnerships to ensure Canadians can engage in the political process on the screen of their choice.
To reach the most Canadians, today's campaign trail will no doubt include tweets, posts, vines and videos, and debate nights should be no exception. Live-streaming leaders debates in real-time — freely embeddable across the web and driving social engagement — should complement, not replace, traditional broadcasts.
That's why Google Canada has partnered with several news organizations, including the Globe and Mail and a broadcast consortium — CBC, Global and CTV — to help host a YouTube livestream of several of the proposed debates.
For Canada's 42nd federal election, it's no longer sufficient to broadcast to televisions in the living rooms of the nation, not when technology has changed so dramatically, and viewing habits along with it.
It's our democracy, we should all have a chance to watch it in action.
Leslie Church is the head of communications and public affairs for Google Canada