Bad news for Benrier, but even worse news for Trudeau
It's good news for Bernier. The former rules were that two of these three criteria have to be met:
party is represented in the House of Commons by a Member of Parliament
the Commissioner considers that the party intends to endorse candidates in at least 90% of electoral districts
the party's candidates for the most recent general election received at that election at least 4% of the number of valid votes cast or based on the recent political context, public opinion polls and previous general election results, the Commissioner considers that candidates endorsed by the party have a legitimate chance to be elected in the general election in question
Now to participate only one criteria of these three has to be met:
represented in the House of Commons by someone initially elected under the party banner
a party’s candidates had to receive at least four per cent of the number of valid votes cast in the 2019 election
have public opinion polls show it has at least four per cent of national support five days after the election date is called
It's easier for Bernier to participate now under the new rules, because all he has to do is to get 4% in the polls, nothing else. With the old rules he wouldn't have a chance to participate.
It's good news for Bernier. The former rules were that two of these three criteria have to be met:
Now to participate only one criteria of these three has to be met:
It's easier for Bernier to participate now under the new rules, because all he has to do is to get 4% in the polls, nothing else. With the old rules he wouldn't have a chance to participate.
Ah, fair enough. Maybe this was done by Trudeau to make sure Bernier gets into the debates.
If Trudeau calls the election while Bernier is at 4% or higher in the polls, then you can bet on that.