OTTAWA — In a surprising twist that has left many questioning the state of democracy in Canada, the Leaders’ Debates Commission has officially disinvited the Green Party from the upcoming federal leaders' debates.

Citing a lack of candidates, the Commission announced on Wednesday that the Greens don't meet the necessary criteria to participate, as they have failed to endorse candidates in at least 90% of federal ridings.

According to a statement from the Commission, which seeks to ensure that debates are "effective, informative, and compelling," the participation of party leaders is reserved for those most likely to shape the future of Parliament.

Currently, the Green Party has not named candidates in over 100 out of 343 federal ridings, putting them far from the threshold needed for inclusion.

Co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault condemned the Commission’s decision at a press conference in Montreal, labeling it “undemocratic.” He accused the ruling of favoring established parties while stifling emerging voices.

"This decision… does not protect democracy, it protects those who’ve already had their turn," Pedneault declared, suggesting that external pressures, particularly from the Bloc Québécois and Conservative commentators, have conspired to silence the Green Party.

Despite this setback, Pedneault remains hopeful that he will still appear at the French debate, expressing his expectation that the Commission will reconsider its “unjust” ruling soon.

This controversy follows weeks of speculation surrounding the Green Party's candidate nominations, with various explanations offered for the party’s recruitment struggles. Pedneault previously attributed this candidate shortfall to a strategic choice: to avoid running Greens in ridings dominated by Conservatives to prevent splitting the progressive vote.

In another twist, party officials claimed that Elections Canada has been slow in verifying nomination signatures, further complicating their situation.

The Commission indicated that the strategic reduction of candidates undermined the Greens' claims to debate participation. Their criteria stipulate that to qualify, a party must hold at least one seat in the House of Commons, maintain at least four percent national support, or endorse candidates in at least 90% of ridings 28 days before the election.

As of now, the Green Party is polling below three percent nationwide. Pedneault had been looking forward to making a splash in the leadership debates, especially during his anticipated debut at Wednesday’s French debate.

The first of two leaders’ debates kicks off at 6 PM ET on Wednesday, raising questions about the future of collaboration and competition in Canadian politics.