Debate moderator emerges as fan-favourite after B.C. leaders’ face-off

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – While many people are describing Tuesday’s tame leaders’ debate as one without any fireworks or nastiness, the night’s moderator is being given a lot of credit for keeping things rolling.

The Angus Reid Institute’s Shachi Kurl was at the helm and began by setting expectations for the leaders.

“Answer the questions you’re asked. I don’t want to interrupt you, but I will if I have to,” she told the BC NDP’s John Horgan, Green Leader Sonia Furstenau, and Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson.

What followed was a debate that saw few interruptions, few instances of candidates speaking over one another, and an overall civil tone.

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Online, Kurl is being celebrated as the night’s true winner, managing to ask fair questions of all three leaders, all while maintaining order — a stark difference from moderating we’ve seen in past weeks just south of the border, where a presidential election campaign is underway.

Firm, but fair, Kurl was able to keep the leaders focused throughout the 90 minute head-to-head, offering the leaders a treat at the end for a job well done.

“Leaders, thank you. Thank you for a respectful debate, y’all get a cookie,” Kurl concluded. “Nice work.”

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Praise for her moderating has been widespread on social media.

“Congrats on a great job, cookies and all. If you DM me a mailing address, you may just find some cookies arriving to you via mail, from @girlguidesofcan’s new cookie website,” one person wrote Tuesday. “They won’t arrive in time for your post-debate snack tonight but you can enjoy them in the coming days.”

Kurl, herself, even took to Twitter to share her thanks for the reaction.

“Gosh. A little verklempt at all the love tonight. I hope to respond individually in the next hours but first it’s time for a cocktail … and a cookie,” her tweet reads.

“My main takeaway from tonights (sic) #bcelection2020 debate? I’m glad I live in BC and we can have a civil debate facilitated by an amazing moderator. Well done all candidates and especially well done @ShachiKurl,” another tweet reads.

The love fest is long winded, with much of the same reaction easily found on Twitter and elsewhere.

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