Leaders' Debates Commission

{{See also|Canadian leaders' debates}}

Prior to the creation of the commission, Canadian leaders' debates were organized and held by a consortium of the main television networks.{{cite web|url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/andrew-coyne-liberals-squander-chance-to-turn-election-debates-into-something-meaningful|title=Liberals squander chance to turn election debates into something meaningful|last=Coyne|first=Andrew|work=National Post|date=November 2, 2018|access-date=July 12, 2019}} In 2015, Stephen Harper, then leader of the Conservative Party, said he would not participate in debates organized by the consortium and instead participate in a series of independently organized debates.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/broadcasters-fight-back-against-federal-leaders-debate-changes/article24442646/|title=Broadcasters fight back against federal leaders' debate changes|last=Chase|first=Steven|work=The Globe and Mail|date=May 14, 2015|access-date=July 12, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-creation-of-leaders-debate-commissioner-possible-before-next-election |title=Liberals plan to have leaders' debate organizer in place by next election |last=Berthiaume |first=Lee |date=September 19, 2018|work =The Globe and Mail|access-date=July 9, 2019}} While he later agreed to participate in a French language debate hosted by the consortium, no English language debate was hosted by the consortium due to the resulting uncertainty.{{cite news|last1=Payton|first1=Laura|title=Harper, Mulcair and Trudeau confirm participation in Munk Debates, 2nd French debate|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-ndp-debates-aug11-1.3186042|access-date=August 12, 2015|work=CBC News|date=August 12, 2015}} Other independently hosted debates occurred during the 2015 election campaign, but reached much smaller audiences than previous consortium debates.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/election-debate-dates-set-by-broadcasters-without-conservatives-1.3145190|title=Election debate dates set by broadcasters without Conservatives|last=Payton|first=Laura|work=CBC News|date=July 9, 2015|access-date=August 6, 2015}}

The commission is tasked with holding two official debates during the 2019 federal election. Following the election, it is also required to provide a report to Parliament on the leaders' debates and make recommendations for how future leaders debates should be conducted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/debates-commissioner-johnston-1.4883646 |title =Ex-governor general David Johnston nominated as Canada's first debates commissioner |last=Grenier |first=Éric |date=October 30, 2018|work=CBC News|access-date=July 9, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawa-creating-independent-commission-to-organize-leaders-debates |title =Ottawa creating independent commission to organize leaders' debates |last=Kirkup |first=Kristy |date=October 30, 2018|work =The Globe and Mail|access-date=July 9, 2019}}

The position of Debates’ Commissioner is currently vacant. Former Governor General David Johnston served as the Commissioner until he resigned in March 2023 to become the Special Rapporteur for Election Interference.{{Cite news|url=https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2023/03/21/prime-minister-announces-mandate-of-independent-special-rapporteur |title=Prime Minister announces mandate of Independent Special Rapporteur |work=Office of the Prime Minister of Canada |access-date=March 30, 2023 |date=March 21, 2023}} Journalist Michel Cormier serves as the commissions' executive director.{{Cite news|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2019/02/19/former-radio-canada-journalist-named-executive-director-of-new-debates-commission |title=Former journalist named executive director of new debates commission |last=Vigliotti |first=Marco |date=Feb 19, 2019|work =iPolitics|access-date=July 10, 2019}}

The body also has a seven person advisory board. The current members are former Members of Parliament John Manley, Megan Leslie, and Deborah Grey, history professor Chad Gaffield, DMZ Executive Director Abdullah Snobar, judge Louise Otis and Aboriginal Peoples Television Network CEO Jean LaRose.{{Cite news|url=https://www.debates-debats.ca/en/about/mandate-and-roles/|title=Leaders' Debates Commission|last=Government of Canada |date= June 2021|access-date=September 11, 2021}} The first meeting of the advisory board took place on March 26, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/powerandpolitics/leaders-debates-commission-advisers-meet-1.5072195|title=Leaders' Debates Commission advisers meet|last=CBC|work=CBC News|date=March 26, 2019|access-date=July 15, 2019}}

{{See also|2019 Canadian federal election#Leaders' debates}}

The English language debate took place on October 7 and the French on October 10.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/federal-election-debate-moderators-october-1.5253732 |title=CBC's Rosemary Barton to be among federal debate moderators |last=CBC News |date=August 20, 2019|work =CBC News|access-date=August 20, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://ipolitics.ca/2019/07/31/proposed-dates-for-federal-election-debates-set-for-second-week-of-october |title=Proposed dates for federal election debates set for second week of October |last=Lim |first=Jolson |date=July 31, 2019|work =iPolitics|access-date=July 31, 2019}} Both debates took place at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/debate-partnership-dates-1.5231418 |title=English election debate hosted by new media group set for week of Oct. 7 |last=CBC News |date=July 31, 2019|work =CBC News|access-date=July 31, 2019}}

Following the Commission's request for proposal, the Canadian Debate Production Partnership was selected to produce the debates. The CDPP consisted of a consortium of English- and French-language broadcasters and newspapers: CBC News/Radio-Canada, Global News, CTV News, the Toronto Star, HuffPost Canada/Quebec, La Presse, Le Devoir, and L'Actualité.

The English debate was moderated by Rosemary Barton (CBC News), Susan Delacourt (Toronto Star), Dawna Friesen (Global News), Lisa LaFlamme (CTV News) and Althia Raj (HuffPost Canada), each responsible for a portion of the debate. The French moderator was Patrice Roy (Ici Radio-Canada Télé), who was assisted by several journalists from prominent Quebec newspapers.

The government established rules in 2018 to determine which party leaders are invited to the official debates.{{Cite news|url=https://orders-in-council.canada.ca/attachment.php?attach=37002&lang=en|title =Order In Council 2018-1322|last=Government of Canada |date= October 29, 2018|access-date=July 12, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2019/05/03/election-2019-debates-commission_a_23721185 |title=Federal Election 2019 Debates Need To Be More Civil And Educational For Voters, Commission Told |last=Bryden |first=Joan |date=May 3, 2019|work =HuffPost|access-date=July 12, 2019}} To be invited a party must satisfy two of the following:

1. Have at least one member elected under the party's banner;
2. Nominate candidates to run in at least 90% of all ridings; and
3. Have captured at least 4% of the votes in the previous election or be considered by the commissioner to have a legitimate chance to win seats in the current election, based on public opinion polls.

In November 2018, Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould said that Maxime Bernier would qualify for the debates as leader of the People's Party of Canada if the party nominated candidates in 90% of ridings.

On August 12, 2019, the Commissioner extended invitations for Justin Trudeau, Andrew Scheer, Jagmeet Singh, Elizabeth May and Yves-François Blanchet to attend. He also sent a letter to Maxime Bernier indicating that he did not qualify for the debates at this time, and asking for additional information from the People's Party so that a final decision could be reached by September 16.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/leaders-debate-commission-maxime-bernier-out-1.5244287|title=Maxime Bernier excluded from initial invitations to leaders' election debates|last=Tasker |first=John Paul |work=CBC News|date=August 12, 2019|access-date=August 12, 2019}} Bernier criticized the decision saying that it would not be a "real debate" without him.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/maxime-bernier-leaders-debates-1.5251608 |title=Maxime Bernier argues he deserves place in leaders' debates |last=The Canadian Press |work=CBC News|date=August 18, 2019|access-date=August 19, 2019}} On September 16, following submission of further information from the People's Party, the Commissioner determined that "more than one candidate endorsed by the party has a reasonable chance to be elected" and therefore Bernier would be invited to the debates.{{Cite web|url=https://torontosun.com/news/national/maxime-bernier-now-invited-to-two-broadcast-leader-debates|title=MAD MAX TO GET HIS SAY: Bernier invited to two leader debates|last=Lilley|first=Brian|date=16 September 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/maxime-bernier-debates-commission-election-1.5285162 |title=Maxime Bernier invited to participate in official commission debates |last=Wherry |first=Aaron |date=September 16, 2019 |publisher =CBC News|access-date=September 16, 2019}}

English debate: {{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5968959/canada-election-debate-topics-format/|title=Official leaders' debates to cover 5 topics, include questions from Canadians|website=Global News|language=en|access-date=2019-10-07}}

1. Affordability and economic insecurity
2. National and global leadership
3. Indigenous issues
4. Polarization human rights, and immigration
5. Environment and energy

French debate:

1. The economy and finances
2. Environment and energy
3. Foreign policy and immigration
4. Ethics and governance
5. Service to citizens

On July 17, protesters gathered in cities across Canada calling for a leaders' debate to be held on the topic of climate change. The protests were directed at CBC News after organizers were told that broadcasters not the commission would determine the questions and topics of the debates. In response to the protests, the CBC released a statement saying that the commission and the editorial group at the broadcaster ultimately selected to host the debates would be responsible for making such determinations.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/climate-change-debate-rally-whitehorse-yellowknife-1.5215999|title=Northern demonstrators demand CBC host federal leaders' debate on climate change|last=Silva|first=Steve|work=CBC News|date=July 18, 2019|access-date=July 18, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://thetyee.ca/News/2019/07/18/Youth-Demand-CBC-Climate-Debate|title=Youth Taking Action: Rallies across Canada Seek CBC Leaders' Debate on Climate|last=Kwan|first=Braela|work=The Tyee|date=July 18, 2019|access-date=July 18, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/07/17/younger-voters-mobilizing-to-make-federal-election-about-climate-change|title=Younger voters mobilizing to make federal election about climate change|last=Franson|first=Jason |work=The Canadian Press|via=CityNews|date=July 18, 2019|access-date=July 18, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mycomoxvalleynow.com/56513/vancouver-island-group-calls-on-cbc-to-change-the-debate|title=Vancouver Island group calls on CBC to 'Change the Debate'|last=Landreville|first=Troy|work=Comox Valley Now|date=July 18, 2019|access-date=July 18, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1227008/manifestation-climat-debat-chefs-cbc|title=Des jeunes réclament un débat des chefs sur le climat|last=Radio-Canada|work=Radio-Canada|date=July 17, 2019|access-date=July 18, 2019}} On August 8, 2019, organizers delivered a petition with 48,000 signatures to the CBC.{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2019/08/08/news/tens-thousands-sign-petition-demanding-cbc-host-climate-debate|title=Tens of thousands sign petition demanding CBC host climate debate|last=McIntosh|first=Emma |work=National Observer|date=August 8, 2019|access-date=August 9, 2019}}

In June 2020, the Commission released its report reviewing the 2019 election debates and making recommendations for future debates.{{cite news |last=The Canadian Press |date=June 1, 2020 |title=Report on federal election leaders' debates suggests permanent commission |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/debate-commission-1.5593724 |work=CBC News |access-date=October 26, 2020}}{{cite news |last=Johnston |first=David (Debates Commissioner) |date=June 1, 2020 |title=Democracy Matters, Debates Count: A report on the 2019 Leaders' Debates Commission and the future of debates in Canada |url=https://www.debates-debats.ca/en/report |work=Leaders' Debates Commission |access-date=October 26, 2020}} The report recommended a permanent and publicly funded commission be tasked with organizing two debates every election. It also called for the head of the commission to be selected through consultation with all political parties, and for the commission, not the government to set the criteria for participation in future election debates.

{{See also|2021 Canadian federal election#Leaders' debates|Canadian leaders' debates#2021 debates}}

The English language debate in 2021 was criticized by former NDP strategist Robin Sears for its format. Sears alleged that participants were not given enough time to respond to each question and that reporters became stars of the debates rather than facilitating debate among the leaders.{{Cite web |title=Robin Sears |url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2021/09/12/our-election-debates-have-become-embarrassing-failures-how-did-we-sink-so-low.html |website= Toronto Star |date=12 September 2021}} The debate started off with a question from moderator Sachi Kurl of Angus Reid posed to Yves-François Blanchet which was called offensive for appearing to label Quebecers as racist.{{Cite news |title= Trudeau, O'Toole call debate question on Quebec's secularism offensive, unfair |author= Catharine Tunney |url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-debate-blanchet-bill21-1.6171124 |website= CBC News |date= 12 September 2021}} This led to calls by political commentators for the Leaders' Debates Commission to be reformed and allow effective debate among the leaders.

In its May 2022 report, the commission recommended various improvements for future debates, and that it remain a permanent publicly funded entity to organize leaders' debates.{{Cite news |last=Government of Canada |date=May 10, 2022 |url=https://www.debates-debats.ca/en/news/2022/final-report-2021-federal-election-experience |title=Leaders' Debates Commission releases its final report on the 2021 federal election experience |access-date=March 24, 2023}}{{cite news|last=The Canadian Press |date=May 10, 2022 |title=Report finds 2021 federal election debates were clumsy and didn't help voters understand policy |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/leaders-debates-report-1.6448673 |work=CBC News |access-date=March 24, 2023 }}

{{See also|2025 Canadian federal election#Leaders' debates|Canadian leaders' debates#2025 debates}}

On April 1, 2025, the Commission announced that it had invited the leaders of the Bloc Québécois, Conservative Party, Green Party, Liberal Party, and New Democratic Party to the 2025 debates. Invitations were issued on the basis of meeting at least two of three conditions: having at least one sitting MP, recording at least 4% support in national opinion polling, and endorsing candidates in at least 90 percent of ridings.{{cite web |title=Leaders' Debates Commission invites leaders to the next leaders' debates |url=https://www.debates-debats.ca/en/news/2025/commission-invites-leaders-debates/index.htm |website=Leaders' Debates Commission |access-date=April 1, 2025 |location=Ottawa |date=April 1, 2025}} The Green Party's invitation was rescinded on April 16 as it ultimately ran candidates in 232 ridings (less than 70 percent) despite earlier submitting to the Commission that it would run candidates in every riding.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/green-party-debate-commission-rules-candidate-numbers-1.7509867|title=Debates commission defends inviting Greens despite party's candidate shortage|first=Darren|last=Major|publisher=CBC News|date=April 14, 2025|access-date=April 14, 2025}}{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2025 |title=Green Party dropped from leaders' debates for not running enough candidates |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/leaders-debate-commission-green-party-removed-1.7511447 |website=CBC News}} The People's Party was not invited, as it did not meet the criteria for either holding a seat in Parliament or polling at least 4%.{{cite web |author= |date=March 24, 2025 |title=Leaders' Debates Commission announces dates, location for upcoming debates, and leader participation decision date |url=https://www.debates-debats.ca/en/news/2025/debate-dates-announced/index.htm |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=Leaders' Debate Commission |publisher= |location=Ottawa}}

On April 15, the leaders of the Bloc Québécois and the NDP suggested rescheduling the French language debate because of the debate coinciding with the final hockey game of the Montreal Canadiens' regular season, after it became clear the game would decide whether the Canadiens would make the playoffs. The Commission declined to reschedule the debate to a different day, but agreed to move the start time two hours earlier to 6:00 pm EDT.{{cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/11132946/canada-election-leaders-debate-french-postponement-montreal-canadiens-game/ |title=French election debate time moved to avoid Montreal Canadiens game conflict |first=Sean |last=Previl |work=Global News |date=April 15, 2025 |access-date=April 16, 2025}}

A post-debate news scrum occurred after the French language debate, with independent and local journalists invited to question candidates, along with mass news media. Later, David Cochrane of CBC News asked Michel Cormier, the debate commission’s executive director, about the fairness of the distribution of questions among outlets and the type of questions asked. Cormier stated, "There's only so much we can do to control free speech." The question period following the English Federal Leaders' Debate in Montreal on Thursday April 17, 2025, was cancelled by the commission following a disturbance in the media centre by Rebel News-affiliated journalists.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Fn2IGqLashttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgVOKu9q0_shttps://nationalpost.com/news/party-leaders-reporters-questions-english-debate{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Dylan |title=Debates chief cancels post-debate Q&A after Rebel News clashes with reporters |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal-elections/debates-chief-cancels-post-debate-q-a-after-rebel-news-clashes-with-reporters/article_a83d66d1-0967-55df-ad16-1f57ddcde862.html |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=Toronto Star |agency=The Canadian Press |date=18 April 2025 |language=en}}

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