MONTREAL – Rogers Media’s OMNI ICI has announced plans to air Monday night’s Quebec party leaders’ debate in Arabic.
The multilingual service said that it recognizes “the need for diverse programming that connects our audiences to all facets of Canadian culture”, noting that Arabic is one of the main third languages spoken in Quebec.
The debate, scheduled for September 17 at 5:30 PM ET, will see Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard, François Legault of the Coalition Avenir Quebec, Jean-Francois Lisee of the Parti Quebecois and Québec Solidaire’s Manon Masse face off in the province’s first-ever televised English-language debate. The provincial election will take place October 1.
“Bringing ethnic and third-language communities the Canadian culture and local politics is an important part of who we are at OMNI”, said director of OMNI, lifestyle & entertainment production Manuel Fonseca, in the announcement. “Arabic is one of the most popular third-languages spoken in Quebec, and we’re so excited to connect Arab communities with the live election debate on Monday.”
Rogers Media’s OMNI Regional is available nationally in four feeds: Pacific (British Columbia), Prairies (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan), East (Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and PEI), and Quebec, through a partnership with ICI Television.
