Election 2015: Leaders debate kicks campaign trail into high gear

Four of the national party leaders faced off last night in the first election debate of this campaign, moderated by Maclean's political editor Paul Wells.

It was an opportunity for the country to see if NDP leader Tom Mulcair has what it takes to be Prime Minister, if Conservative leader Stephen Harper can hold onto power, if Liberal leader Justin Trudeau can get back in the game, and if Green Party leader Elizabeth May belongs in these leaders debates.

To discuss the fallout from the debate, we've assembled a panel of three Canadian political watchers:

• David McLaughlin, advisor to the Dean of Environment at the University of Waterloo and former chief of staff to Brian Mulroney
• Mireille Paquet, assistant professor of political science at Concordia University
• Steve Patten, associate professor of political science at the University of Alberta

Let us know what you thought of the debate. You can get in touch with us on Twitter @TheCurrentCBC, Facebook, or email.

This segment was produced by The Current's Sarah Grant, Max Paris, and Marc Apollonio.