Week 1 of the federal election campaign

It was likely Elizabeth May's only shot at standing across from Stephen Harper, Tom Mulcair and Justin Trudeau at a podium during this campaign. 

Now that her chance to debate her opponents is behind her, there's a lot at stake for the Green Party leader over the next 10 weeks as a tight race between the three main parties means the Greens could end up playing an influential role in a potential minority government.

May is here to discuss what happens next for her party as the campaign stretches on ahead.

Then, call it the warm-up to the main fight.

In the days leading up to the first leaders' debate, Stephen Harper polished his sparring skills by taking shots at two premiers, Ontario's Kathleen Wynne and Alberta's Rachel Notley.

But in the battle between the Prime Minister and the premiers, neither Wynne nor Notley is backing down. Wynne joins us to explain why she's entered the fray and whether her own sliding approval ratings will hurt Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's campaign. 

Next, our debate preview panel is back — this time with a debate debriefing! David McLaughlin, former chief of staff to Brian Mulroney, Scott Reid, former deputy chief of staff to Paul Martin and director of communications for the 2005-2006 Liberal campaign and Kathleen Monk, former director of strategic communications for Jack Layton and a spokesperson for the NDP campaign in 2011 are here to share their main takeaways from Thursday's showdown. 

While the campaign is going on, it's easy to forget that Canada is currently trying to finalize a major trade deal. Former Quebec premier Jean Charest expects the Trans Pacific Partnership to be a major electoral issue, especially in Quebec where supply management represents 40 per cent of the agricultural industry. He also says he's concerned about the fate of the free trade deal with the European Union.

From Justin Trudeau making Calgary the second stop of his campaign to Stephen Harper using the word "disaster" to talk about the election of a provincial NDP government, is it possible Alberta has REALLY become a battleground? The province is currently entirely Conservative blue, save for one NDP seat — could we witness a dramatic shift on October 19? Our polls analyst Éric Grenier is here to talk about Battleground Alberta.

With week one almost over, In House panelists Andrew Coyne and Rosemary Barton look ahead to week two and the potential impact of the Mike Duffy trial, and Nigel Wright's testimony, on the election campaign.