The provincial leaders’ first televised election debate Tuesday night produced one clear winner – Indo-Canadian Moderator Shachi Kurl, who received much praise for her handling of the only televised debate of the pandemic BC election. Kurl, who is the daughter of local activist and DESIBUZZCanada columnist Suresh Kurl, was able to keep leaders on track, with few interruptions and few instances of candidates speaking over one another

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff With News Files

VANCOUVER – The provincial leaders’ first televised election debate Tuesday night produced one clear winner – Indo-Canadian Moderator Shachi Kurl, who received much praise for her handling of the only televised debate of the pandemic BC election.

Kurl, who is the daughter of local activist and DESIBUZZCanada columnist Suresh Kurl, was able to keep leaders on track, with few interruptions and few instances of candidates speaking over one another

Many took to social media during and after the debate to share their praise for Kurl, who works for pollster Angus Reid Institute. She 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.

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, reported News 1130..

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.”

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, reported News 1130.