TORONTO -- The six federal election candidates took the stage for the English-language debate in Gatineau, Que., on Monday, and while the message of each candidate was weighed and measured by Canadians, another, more subtle factor was at play 鈥 body language.
鈥淏ody language is essential,鈥 said Tracey Thomson, a body language expert and chief operating officer and co-founder of , a company dedicated to training business leaders how to project confidence and credibility. 鈥淚f you can control your body language, you can control your story.鈥
Thomson took part in during the debate, offering insight into each candidate鈥檚 body language and delivery of their major talking points.
Justin Trudeau
Thomson told CTVNews.ca that while watching Liberal leader Trudeau, it was clear he is 鈥渧ery direct, very practiced, polished and confident,鈥 and that his delivery 鈥渄irect to camera鈥 denotes his ease being in spotlight.
However, Thomson says there were a few moments that showed the other candidates got under his skin.
鈥淲hen he was taking questions or under attack, he turned his body in a defensive mode,鈥 Thomson said in a telephone interview after the debate wrapped up. 鈥淗e kept his arm down on the podium when Scheer was going after him almost like a buffer.鈥
鈥淗is back gets very straight when he gets attacked, it鈥檚 almost like he braces himself but in a very upright manner,鈥 she said.
Thomson also noted that Trudeau wore a very 鈥渟ombre鈥 dark suit and tie that seemed to be an effort to show how 鈥渟erious鈥 the leader took the debate.
Andrew Scheer
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer had the stand-out performance of the evening for Thomson. She said his 鈥渟trong statement鈥 of turning his entire body towards Trudeau when asking him a question was a way of being 鈥渧ulnerable鈥aying 鈥業 am here as the Canadian every man, asking a question,鈥 in a very direct manner.鈥
Thomson said that Scheer kept a handle on the 鈥渟mirk鈥 that had branded him as acting smug in the past, and that his symmetrical, central gestures made him appear that he was 鈥渃ontrolled and calm.鈥
鈥(Former Conservative Leader and Prime Minister Stephen) Harper actually did the same thing before him, the gestures that tell people 鈥業 can be trusted,鈥欌 said Thomson, adding that the only time Scheer appeared rattled was when Trudeau attacked him on his anti-abortion stance.
Elizabeth May
The Green Party leader comes off 鈥渋ncredibly intelligent and passionate,鈥 Thomson said, noting that May appears to 鈥渟peak from the heart鈥 and gestures with her hands frequently.
鈥淪he鈥檚 the only woman up there, and her body language and delivery shows a refusal to back down and be apologetic,鈥 Thomson said. 鈥淪he looks like she thinks she knows best, and for some people that may be a turn-off.鈥
Thomson said that May鈥檚 habit of speaking with a raised chin may come across as 鈥渁rrogant,鈥 while her side-to-side hand gestures could appear as 鈥済randstanding鈥 and 鈥渄ogmatic.鈥
Jagmeet Singh
Thomson said that the NDP leader came across 鈥渋ncredibly likable鈥 in Monday鈥檚 debate, delivering his points in a 鈥渟incere, passionate manner.鈥
鈥淸Singh] gestures and lifts with his hands, like he is telling his story with them,鈥 Thomson said.
Singh was also 鈥渧ery good鈥 at the 鈥渙pen, vulnerable and direct look into the camera,鈥 that emphasized his major points, she said. A key aspect of pulling this off was Singh being 鈥渧ery still when speaking to camera,鈥 that projects sincerity and confidence, Thomson said.
Yves-Francois Blanchet
The Bloc Quebecois leader appeared 鈥渉appy to have the platform鈥 Thomson said, adding that Blanchet slowed his speech to make his points 鈥渨ith gravity, slowly, taking his time鈥 so that his message registered with the audience.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about control, and keeping [his] thoughts clear and controlled as possible, showing that he deserves to be there,鈥 Thomson said.
Blanchet鈥檚 pacing and habit of 鈥渘odding down鈥 when he spoke tells the public 鈥淚 have a right to be here鈥 and I am serious and grounded,鈥 Thomson said, adding that the leader did a good job of holding his ground.
Maxime Bernier
For Thomson, the People鈥檚 Party of Canada leader performed the poorest of all the candidates in terms of his body language.
鈥淗e came across unfocused, looking from left to right鈥he] seemed less polished and got rattled a lot,鈥 Thomson said.
Bernier also used 鈥渄own[ward] hand gestures鈥 often, according to Thomson, which was an effort to 鈥渟hush鈥 the other candidates.
鈥淗is physicality came off as less controlled, more emotional and more aggressive,鈥 Thomson said, adding that Bernier jutting his face forward seemed 鈥渁ngry and less centred.鈥
The candidates will face off again on Thursday for the official French-language debate.
