A French-language debate between five leaders of Canadian political parties had been scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern. But after two party leaders complained that the debate would compete with a 7 p.m. Montreal Canadiens game, the debate’s start time was moved up by two hours.

In Canada, politics made a tactical shift to avoid conflicting with a crucial Montreal Canadiens playoff game. A French-language leaders' debate was rescheduled to accommodate hockey fans. This reflects the cultural significance of hockey,