Procedure and House Affairs Committee on May 12th, 2022

[Michel Cormier]

Under the previous mandate, we asked the producer to propose a format in the invitation to bid. We could accept it or reject it, but we had no influence in terms of modifying it. What we are now proposing is to work between elections with a producer who has been chosen earlier than a few months before the election. We would then have time to develop a simpler format with those people and with the help of expertise from various quarters. What we want to do is make sure the debates best serve the public interest.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

That's very clear.

[Michel Cormier]

Was my answer short enough?

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Yes. That's very good.

Earlier, an analogy was given relating to referees. The Minister said that a debate was like a hockey game. That includes body checking. In 2021, that is what we witnessed. During the debate, the players engaged in body checking, and then the referee ran onto the ice and body checked one of the players. I would even say it was done illegally. The referee lifted an elbow up and struck a blow right in the teeth.

When a referee in a hockey game strikes that kind of blow against a player, what impression does that give you? It's not very nice, is it?

[The Right Hon. David Johnston]

It's an interesting comparison.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

You aren't obliged to respond to these comments, even if it makes me laugh. That's what we saw.

I'm now going to move on to the second recommendation. As we know, the moderator made a serious mistake. She lacked objectivity and neutrality. Everyone agrees. She should not be the moderator again, as everyone also agrees. With that said, how can we avoid the problem being repeated?

I'd like to hear you say that the second recommendation is going to enable us to avoid this kind of problem in the future.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Mr. Therrien, I don't want to interrupt you, but I'd remind you that you need to address all your comments to the chair.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

I'm sorry. You're right.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Go ahead. Thank you.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Madam Chair, I'd like to get an explanation about the second recommendation.

[The Right Hon. David Johnston]

That's a key question. It's why we decided we should focus our efforts on making sure, in choosing the moderators, that they have certain very important qualities.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Madam Chair, what is the difference between the two?

I'm addressing you, but you aren't even listening to me.

What is the difference between what was done and what will be done, following on the second recommendation? I'm not seeing where the difference lies.

Earlier, Mr. Cormier, you were very clear, but now I'm having more trouble following you.

[Michel Cormier]

Before, the Commission was not involved in choosing the moderators. What we're proposing now is that the Commission be ultimately responsible for choosing the moderator, but that this not be some sort of invasion into its mandate.

We want to work with the producers that are chosen, but also with experts. We are already in contact with people from around the world to address these issues. As you see, we have started by establishing a preliminary list of the attributes that we think are important for a moderator to have. They have to know the party leaders relatively well, they have to understand the issues in the election, they have to have the respect and trust of the party leaders, and they have to facilitate debate.

We're trying to offer solutions in response to the criticism we got in the last debate. The important thing is for us to work together to establish the best attributes for the moderators, and then choose moderators based on the criteria established.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

I have a suggestion to make. I believe Mr. Cormier was a journalist.

[Michel Cormier]

Yes.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

There is a code of ethics for journalists and you have to obey it. But the moderator engaged in disinformation and passed judgment on a bill introduced in Quebec. Under her code of ethics, a journalist can't do that. Am I right?

I'd like you to answer yes or no.

[Michel Cormier]

Listen, right now, we're trying to determine how we can move forward and make sure there won't be any problems.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Yes, I agree.

I would have liked to address this subject in closing. Could you deduct 30 seconds from my next turn? I'm good at math.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

I'll deduct that time...

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

I want to know whether it would be a good idea for the moderator to be a journalist. That person would then have to obey the code of ethics that prevents this kind of mistake being made.

That's my question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

So you want me to deduct that time from your second round of questions.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Yes, absolutely.

[The Chair, Liberal, Bardish Chagger]

Let's continue.

[Michel Cormier]

[Technical difficulties] that differs from one kind of media to another, but generally, yes, there are codes of ethics. Ms. Kurl is not a journalist, but that is part of the questions and discussions we'll be having, especially with the producer, to make sure the choice of moderator complies with the list of criteria established relating to the qualities of a moderator.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Thank you.