Out of back rooms
Independent commission to organize leaders’ debates in next federal election
An independent commission will organize federal leaders’ debates for the next election to take the planning out of back rooms where political parties try to design the debates for their own advantage, Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould announced Tuesday.
The plan went over like a lead balloon with the Official Opposition, who say the plan is evidence of election rigging.
The commission will organize two leaders’ debates for the 2019 election — one in each official language — and will ensure discussions are accessible to all Canadians on various communication platforms, Gould said outside the House of Commons.
“What this whole thing is about is ensuring that this is done in a public, transparent way and to ensure that the public interest is at the centre, and not partisan interest,” Gould said.
The government has nominated former governor general David Johnston to lead the commission, she added.
He is planning to appear before a Commons committee to speak with MPs about the work.
“I hope they (MPs) engage in good faith and have a productive conversation with him because I think as most Canadians will agree, he is absolutely an impartial, independent individual who has the best interest of Canadians at heart,” she said.
However, Conservative democratic institutions critic Stephanie Kusie said that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trying to control the debate process and ensure it is set up in the “best way possible to support the government.”
She pointed to the number of debates, just two, and format as evidence to support this case.
“Essentially what this is doing, this is silencing Canadians,” she said.
The commission will have to report to Parliament following the 2019 debates with recommendations for a permanent commission, Gould said Tuesday.
In the United States, debates among presidential candidates are organized by a commission with members from both the Republican and Democratic parties.
NDP democratic reform critic Nathan Cullen also had questions, noting a House of Commons committee recommended the commissioner b e selected by all registered parties and the Liberals didn’t do that.