WATCH: Federal leaders put through the wringer at post-debate scrum

MONTREAL — Federal leaders found themselves in the hot-seat after the French-language debate in Montreal Wednesday night, as conservative media outlets posed questions unheard of by the CBC.

Each leader had a brief, 10-minute media availability following the debate — in between which pundits on the state broadcaster complained and wondered why “very right websites” were allowed to be at the debate.

Liberal leader Mark Carney thought it was “odd” to be asked if he thought his predecessor Justin Trudeau did a good job as prime minister. He also suggested to one journalist whom he had kicked out of a press conference in Edmonton earlier this year to…come to one of his press conferences.

The Liberal leader was also asked about his position on gender identity, and reluctantly said there are only two sexes.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh refused questions from Rebel News, as he did at the last leaders’ debate in 2021.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre condemned censorship of free speech and independent media, and said visitors to Canada should not be allowed to get away with acting as agents of foreign wars on Canadian soil.

He also maintained his position on Israel, expressing compassion for Palestinian civilians, but putting the entirety of the blame for the war in the Middle East on Hamas. Israel has a right to defend itself against terrorists, said Poilievre.

"This was an unprovoked invasion. The blame rests with Hamas."

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet defended his position on prohibiting pipelines being built through Quebec and claimed "Mr. Carney is being more conservative than Mr. Poilievre" on climate change.

"I'm not a fanatic against oil...but we've got to reduce our consumption of oil progressively, including from Alberta, because we are clearly...destroying the whole planet,” he said.