Numéro C.P. : 2018-1322

Date : 2018-10-29


Whereas leaders’ debates are an essential contribution to the health of Canadian democracy and are in the public interest;

 

Whereas it is desirable that leaders’ debates reach all Canadians, including those with disabilities, those living in remote areas and those living in official language minority communities;

 

Whereas it is desirable that leaders’ debates be effective, informative and compelling and benefit from the participation of the leaders who have the greatest likelihood of becoming Prime Minister or whose political parties have the greatest likelihood of winning seats in Parliament;

 

Whereas it is desirable that leaders’ debates be organized using clear, open and transparent participation criteria;

 

Whereas it is desirable that there be a commissioner who is responsible for the organization of leaders’ debates;

 

Whereas it is desirable that the commissioner responsible for leaders’ debates have the benefit of the advice of an advisory board;

 

And whereas it is in the public interest that the Leaders’ Debates Commission be established without delay;

 

Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, establishes the Leaders’ Debates Commission, in accordance with the annexed schedule.

 


Attendu que les débats des chefs contribuent de façon essentielle à la santé de la démocratie canadienne et qu’ils sont dans l’intérêt public;

 

Attendu qu’il est souhaitable que les débats des chefs rejoignent tous les Canadiens, y compris ceux qui vivent avec un handicap, ceux qui vivent dans des régions éloignées et ceux qui font partie de communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire;

 

Attendu qu’il est souhaitable que les débats des chefs soient efficaces et informatifs, qu’ils suscitent l’intérêt et qu’ils profitent de la participation des chefs qui sont les plus à même de devenir premier ministre ou dont le parti politique est le plus à même de remporter des sièges au Parlement;

 

Attendu qu’il est souhaitable que les débats des chefs soient organisés selon des critères de participation clairs, ouverts et transparents;

 

Attendu qu’il est souhaitable qu’un commissaire soit chargé de l’organisation des débats des chefs;

 

Attendu qu’il est souhaitable que le commissaire chargé des débats des chefs bénéficie des conseils d’un comité consultatif;

 

Attendu qu’il est dans l’intérêt public que la Commission des débats des chefs soit créée sans délai,

 

À ces causes, sur recommandation du premier ministre, Son Excellence la Gouverneure générale en conseil crée la Commission des débats des chefs, conformément à l’annexe ci-jointe.

 

 


SCHEDULE

   

LEADERS’ DEBATES COMMISSION

   

Commission

   

1 There is established a commission, to be known as the Leaders’ Debates Commission, consisting of the Debates Commissioner, the Advisory Board and the Secretariat.

   

2 The mandate of the Leaders’ Debates Commission is to

   

(a) organize one leaders’ debate in each official language during each general election period;

   

(b) ensure that the leader of each political party that meets two of the following criteria is invited to participate in the leaders’ debates:

   

(i) at the time the general election in question is called, the party is represented in the House of Commons by a Member of Parliament who was elected as a member of that party,

   

(ii) the Debates Commissioner considers that the party intends to endorse candidates in at least 90% of electoral districts in the general election in question,

   

(iii) the party’s candidates for the most recent general election received at that election at least 4% of the number of valid votes cast or, based on the recent political context, public opinion polls and previous general election results, the Debates Commissioner considers that candidates endorsed by the party have a legitimate chance to be elected in the general election in question;

   

(c) ensure that the leaders’ debates are broadcast and otherwise made available in an accessible way to persons with disabilities;

   

(d) ensure that the leaders’ debates reach as many Canadians as possible, including those living in remote areas and those living in official language minority communities, through a variety of media and other fora;

   

(e) ensure that the leaders’ debates are broadcast free of charge, whether or not the broadcast is live;

   

(f) ensure that any reproduction of the leaders’ debates is subject to only the terms and conditions that are necessary to preserve the integrity of the debates;

   

(g) ensure that high journalistic standards are maintained for the leaders’ debates;

   

(h) undertake an awareness raising campaign and outreach activities to ensure that Canadians know when, where and how to access the leaders’ debates; and

   

(i) provide advice and support in respect of other political debates related to the general election, including candidates’ debates, as the Debates Commissioner considers appropriate.

   

3 The Leaders’ Debates Commission is to

   

(a) conduct any necessary research or rely on any applicable research to ensure that the leaders’ debates are of high quality;

   

(b) develop and manage constructive relationships with key opinion leaders and stakeholders;

   

(c) conduct its activities in a manner that does not preclude other organizations from producing or organizing leaders’ debates or other political debates;

   

(d) ensure that the decisions regarding the organization of the leaders’ debates, including those respecting participation criteria, are made publicly available in a timely manner;

   

(e) ensure that the leaders’ responses to the invitations to participate in the leaders’ debates are made publicly available before and during the debates; and

   

(f) conduct an evidence-based assessment of the leaders’ debates that it has organized, including with respect to the number of persons to whom the debates were accessible, the number of persons who actually accessed them and the knowledge of Canadians of political parties, their leaders and their positions.

   

4 In fulfilling its mandate, the Leaders’ Debates Commission is to be guided by the pursuit of the public interest and by the principles of independence, impartiality, credibility, democratic citizenship, civic education, inclusion and cost-effectiveness.

   

5 (1) The Leaders’ Debates Commission is an agent of Her Majesty and, in that capacity, may enter into contracts or agreements with third parties in fulfilling its mandate.

   

(2) The Leaders’ Debates Commission is to ensure that calls for proposals regarding the production of the leaders’ debates identify clear criteria by which proposals will be evaluated, including the presentation of strategies to

   

(a) maximize the reach of the leaders’ debates and engagement with Canadians, including those who may face barriers to voting;

   

(b) create momentum for and awareness of the leaders’ debates before the debates take place and to sustain engagement of Canadians after the debates take place;

   

(c) make the leaders’ debates more accessible to Canadians with disabilities, those living in remote areas and those living in official language minority communities; and

   

(d) ensure that the leaders’ debates are reflective of high production and journalistic standards, while ensuring brand neutrality.

   

Debates Commissioner

   

6 (1) The Debates Commissioner is the director of the Leaders’ Debates Commission and, in that capacity, conducts the ordinary business of the Commission and is responsible for the appointment of the members of the Secretariat.

   

(2) The Debates Commissioner is appointed to hold office during good behaviour, on a part-time basis, subject to removal for cause.

   

(3) The Debates Commissioner is to consider and apply as far as possible the advice provided by the Advisory Board, to ensure that the organization of the leaders’ debates benefits from the expertise and experience of the members of the Advisory Board and that the leaders’ debates reflect the public interest.

   

Advisory Board

   

7 The mandate of the Advisory Board is to advise the Debates Commissioner to allow the Debates Commissioner to fulfil his or her mandate.

   

8 (1) The members of the Advisory Board are appointed by the Debates Commissioner to hold office on a part-time basis.

   

(2) The Advisory Board is to be composed of seven members, and its composition is to be reflective of gender balance and Canadian diversity and is to represent a range of political affiliations and expertise.

   

9 (1) The Advisory Board is to meet at least four times in the period of one year before a general election and at least two times in the period of five months after a general election.

   

(2) The meetings of the Advisory Board are to be chaired by the Debates Commissioner.

   

Report

   

10 (1) The Leaders’ Debates Commission is to provide to the Minister of Democratic Institutions, no later than five months after the day on which a general election is held, a report in both official languages that

   

(a) presents an in-depth analysis of the Leaders’ Debates Commission’s experience in organizing leaders’ debates for the general election in question; and

   

(b) provides thorough advice with regard to the future of the Leaders’ Debates Commission, recommendations regarding the scope of the Commission’s mandate and a detailed rationale for those recommendations, as well as a discussion of key considerations, including operation in the full range of electoral contexts such as minority governments, and ways to encourage leaders’ participation in the leaders’ debates.

   

(2) The Minister of Democratic Institutions is to table the report in Parliament.

   

 


 

 
 

ANNEXE

 

COMMISSION DES DÉBATS DES CHEFS