Election debate dates set by broadcasters without Conservatives

Canada's largest broadcasters have announced the dates for this fall's federal election debates despite an ongoing boycott by the Conservative Party.
The group of networks known as the broadcast consortium, including CBC, CTV, Global, Radio-Canada and Tele-Quebec, has set the English-language debate for Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET, and the French-language debate for Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET.
Negative reactions on social media were swift, with people pointing out the English-language debate is not happening in prime time in Ontario and Quebec, and is during the afternoon — and normal business hours — in Alberta and British Columbia.
The French-language debate is set for the same time as the NHL's Montreal Canadiens season-opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs, which could be a factor in how many people watch that debate in real time.
The New Democrats, the Liberals and the Green Party have confirmed their participation in the debates run by the   consortium. The Conservatives say they will participate in other debates, but not the consortium debates.