Let's have some fun with the Globe Debate

(Credit: Dave Austria via Flickr)

The election debates are a good opportunity to learn about the positions and personalities of the party leaders running for Prime Minister. But they can also be boring. Sometimes they only get watched by political keeners and not the most important demographics -- undecided voters or those who many not vote!



So, have some fun -- host your own jelly bean debate party on September 17! You'll be able to join in on social media, declare a winner and get your friends to register to vote. (If you're watching on your own, you can just follow along with us -- still fun!)

Here's how to host your own jelly bean debate party:

Invite friends, family, co-workers and neighbours. Consider including a few that aren't political and who may not be planning on voting.
Label three jars with the leaders' names and parties -- one jar for each leader.
Put out a bowl of jelly beans. Every time one of the leaders says something someone agrees with, a jellybean goes into in that leader's jar. At the debate's end, you'll be able to count the jelly beans and declare a winner! The jelly bean jars will also make good pictures for social media (use #DSF and #Globedebate). Make sure to mention that you're keeping score with jelly beans!
When the leaders say something you disagree with, follow your own rules! Maybe take a sip of your drink whenever you hear something you don't like, throw a marshmallow at the screen (you're the host, so you know if your screen is tough enough to withstand a marshmallow blow!) or send a disapproving tweet using #Globedebate and #DSF.
Have a computer or iPad ready and ask your party participants to sign our voters' pledge.
Make sure they're all registered to vote -- it should only take a couple of minutes each. NOTE: Registration rules have changed and voter cards (with I.D. that includes a matching address) are more necessary than previous years.

Here's how to play along on social media:

Post pictures of your labelled jars with a statement that says something like "We scored points with jelly beans. This is who we think won the #GlobeDebate." Include #DSF so we can see your results.
Follow along and retweet the David Suzuki Foundation's reality checks tweets. Our top policy analysts will be ready to help make sure what you're hearing is correct and to provide some interesting content and perspective.

Where to watch the debate on Thursday, September 17, 8 - 10 PM (EST):

Viewers can livestream the debate on globeandmail.com.
CPAC TV will live broadcast the debate in French and English.

Help influence the debate before it starts:

Email the debate moderator and ask him to include the questions below in the debate.
Tweet one or more of the questions below using #GlobeDebate.
Share this graphic on Facebook using #GlobeDebate.

Here are some questions to suggest:

With the fall of oil prices and rapid growth in renewable technology, how will you encourage a transition to a clean tech economy? Click to tweet
Canadians subsidize the fossil fuel industry to the tune of $1.3 billion per year even though the industry is in a downturn, which has destabilized our economy. How would you promote a diversified, more stable economy? Click to tweet
Provinces that have put a price on carbon have seen economic growth that outpaces the Canadian average. How will you encourage a national carbon-pricing policy that benefits all Canadians? Click to tweet

If you have any questions, email us at election2015@davidsuzuki.org.

Don't forget to make sure you are registered to vote.

As voters, we have the power to make a difference in this critical conversation. Let's exercise it.

YES, I'm voting on October 19.

Hey! Want more DSF? Join David Suzuki on Facebook