Madam Chair, thank you for having me.
I'll try to be brief.
It's a bit intimidating. When Al and I show up here by ourselves, the entire room evacuates. Either the two of us count for those 40 people behind us or maybe this is sort of an ambush. We'll see how it goes.
Madam Chair, I have told you that I have a news conference with my colleagues Mendicino and Lametti at 1:15 on a bail reform bill, which I know will interest colleagues, so I do have a hard stop at one. That's why I'll be very brief.
Madam Chair, I am pleased to address the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs today to discuss the main estimates for the Leaders' Debates Commission. With me is Allen Sutherland, assistant secretary to the cabinet, Privy Council Office.
As you know, the Prime Minister has entrusted me with the important responsibility of supporting our democratic institutions. Canadians have many reasons to be proud of their democracy. However, as you know as well as I do, democracy is a work in progress that requires our ongoing attention.
I thank the members of this PROC committee particularly for the commitment that all of you invest every day in our democracy and our democratic institutions.
Madam Chair, the leaders debates play an essential role in federal elections and are a cornerstone of Canada's healthy, vibrant and diverse democracy.
Since its creation in 2018, the independent Leaders' Debates Commission, or LDC, has engaged Canadians during two federal elections—in 2019 and 2021—providing a platform for citizens to compare and learn more about prospective prime ministers and their ideas and vision for our country. While the Leaders' Debates Commission relies on limited administrative support from the Privy Council Office, it conducts its mandate with complete independence and in the public interest.
The commission's mandate includes organizing two leaders’ debates for every federal election, one in each official language, under the leadership of an independent commissioner. The commissioner is supported by a seven-member advisory board. The commission carried out a sound review to identify lessons learned from the 2021 leaders' debates, and the committee has discussed those findings at previous meetings. I reported the commission's recommendations to the House of Commons on May 10, 2022.
As the minister, I was instructed by the Prime Minister to examine the recommendations aimed at improving the leaders' debates and to take the necessary measures to ensure that the debates continue to reflect the public interest. I have already spoken with the commission about how to implement the report recommendations within its current mandate.
As you know, colleagues, the Right Honourable David Johnston stepped down as the debates commissioner in March of this year to take up his appointment as the independent special rapporteur on foreign interference.
I want to express, on behalf of the government and on behalf of all Canadians, my gratitude for Mr. Johnston's leadership, knowledge and experience, which he brought to the commission. He continues to serve in ways that strengthen our democracy.
The government intends, of course, to appoint a new commissioner. I'll have more to say about the timing of that in the coming weeks. We would, obviously, welcome suggestions from members of this committee and from other parliamentarians as to who could serve in this important role. In the meantime, the commission continues its work to prepare for the next set of debates.
Very briefly, Madam Chair, the subject of the appearance is the main estimates for 2023-24 on the Leaders' Debates Commission. As you will note, there's an amount of $3,453,736 for the commission. The commission will have access to $596,814 in this fiscal year. This is to fund its ongoing operations, including salaries. There is one full-time employee, I believe, and three others who work part time. The remaining $2,856,922 is a frozen allotment in the event that—of course, in a minority government—there should be an election.
Madam Chair, I know that was of huge interest to colleagues. I'll be happy to address precise questions on those financial numbers.