On Thursday night, the leaders of the major political parties in Canada gathered for the first of their debates, but one podium stood glaringly empty. While Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May all stood ready to face-off against one another for the first time since the campaign season has officially started, the Liberal podium was very clearly missing a leader. Justin Trudeau has made it clear from the beginning that he would not be taking part in the Maclean’s/CITY TV debate, making their decision to include his empty podium even more … awkward. The Prime Minister confirmed earlier this month that he would only be attending the official debates next month, as well as the French debate hosted by TVA. However, as Thursday night’s leaders’ debate opened up, it was clear that Maclean’s/CITY TV were keen to make sure the Prime Ministers absence didn’t go unnoticed, as an empty podium stood to remind everyone that somebody was definitely missing. Canadians were quick to notice the potentially deliberate dig at Justin Trudeau, noting that it was a bold move from the producers of the debate to keep the podium empty. @macleans #firstdebate OH SNAP Maclean’s/CityTv left an empty podium to represent Trudeau not coming to tonight’s debate #elxn2019— Meg Stewart🇨🇦 (@margaretottawa) September 13, 2019 Lol the empty podium. Were they not informed that Trudeau wasnt coming ?— anthony valenti (@smackraman) September 13, 2019 wtf with the empty podium for Trudeau?? weird gimmick #elxn43 #FirstDebate #cdnpoli— politicaldramaqueen (@politicaldrama2) September 13, 2019 Paul Wells digs at Trudeau in his opening remarks. Empty podium. #elxn43 #elxn19— Brad Zubyk (@Bzubyk) September 13, 2019 Taking to Twitter to mention the lonely podium, one Canadian watching the debate wrote, “Maclean's/Citytv twisting the knife a bit leaving the empty podium on the stage.” Another added a similar sentiment, writing, “Love the subtle shot Trudeau with the empty podium for not showing up to the #firstdebate.” Empty podium for Trudeau - gutsy move #cdnpoli #firstdebate— Jeffrey Ferrier (@jtferrier) September 13, 2019 Maclean's/Citytv twisting the knife a bit leaving the empty podium on the stage. #firstdebate— Stewart Prest (@StewartPrest) September 13, 2019 Trudeau’s empty podium is louder than anything else #firstdebate— Random Canadian (@omg_yay) September 13, 2019 While several Twitter users did appreciate the ‘gutsy’ move by Maclean’s/CITY TV, a number of others took the opportunity to call the producers out, noting that Trudeau’s empty spot could have been given to Maxime Bernier, the People’s Party of Canada leader. One Twitter user wrote, “Hey MacLean's, what do you have against the PPC? Why isn't Bernier who is much more competent than Elizabeth May, allowed at the debate. Trudeau left his podium, let Max take it.” Another shared a similar sentiment adding, “This empty podium could have gone to the other running candidate Maxime Bernier after Trudeau announced he would be skipping a majority of the leader debates. They’re ignoring Bernier instead." Hey MacLean's, what do you have against the PPC? Why isn't Bernier who is much more competent than Elizabeth May, allowed at the debate. Trudeau left his podium, let Max take it.#FirstDebate#LetMaxSpeak— AlbinoDino (@AlbinoDino8) September 13, 2019 Maybe they should have given the empty podium to Maxime Bernier (either the PPC or the Rhinoceros Party one... or both?). It would have made this debate more entertaining, at the very least. #firstdebate #cdnpoli #elxn43— Stéphanie Chouinard (@DrSChouinard) September 13, 2019 You could have had Max Bernier at the podium but you are all too afraid that he would wipe the floor with you. Pathetic cowards and bought journalists.— WM Steckle (@steckle_w) September 12, 2019 This empty podium could have gone to the other running candidate Maxime Bernier after Trudeau announced he would be skipping a majority of the leader debates.They’re ignoring Bernier instead.Canada continues to set a horrible precedent for democracy. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/ZYnsEO3mb1— LΞIGH (@LeighStewy) September 13, 2019 If you’re waiting patiently to see Justin Trudeau standing at a podium to debate (in English), you’ll have to hang on until October 7, when he will join the rest of the party leaders for the English debate at 7 p.m. There are stories everywhere. If you spot a newsworthy event in your city, send us a message, photo, or video @NarcityCanada on Twitter and Instagram.