Good morning, Chair and members of the committee. Thank you for inviting the Leaders' Debates Commission to review our 2026-27 main estimates.
The commission, as you know, is seeking a total of $3 million in funding for the 2026-27 fiscal year. It's important to note that most of that money, $2.3 million, is available to the commission only if an election is called. The rest, $739,000, is for the salaries and operational costs of the commission during that time.
We're not going to spend the majority of that money unless an election is called. The bulk of that amount—$2.3 million—is a reserve fund that is accessible only if an election takes place. This amount is used to cover the costs of preparing for and producing the debates.
The remaining $739,000 will be used to pay the commission's salaries and operating expenses for the next fiscal year.
In accordance with our mandate, cost-effectiveness continues to be a driving principle of the commission. We succeeded in reducing the costs of the debates in 2025. They amounted to just below $1.1 million, which is substantially less than the 2019 and 2021 debates and well below the $1.8-million production budget ceiling.
Most of the work of the secretariat is done remotely, including meetings with stakeholders and its advisory board, in order to reduce travel expenses.
The election of a third consecutive minority government also requires the commission to be ready to organize debates as soon as the next election is called.
This work includes preparing a contract for the production of the debates, as well as consulting with political parties, various experts and television networks. It also involves liaising with security agencies, and identifying and evaluating potential venues for the debates. We also work with the team of academics from the Canadian Election Study to develop public opinion polls that are used to improve the quality of the debates.
As I remarked before this committee last December, we are constantly working to improve the debates. In 2025, the commission adopted a simple format with only one moderator, instead of the traditional panel of journalists. The results were telling. Leaders had more time to exchange views, and voters were better served in gaining information crucial to their choice at the ballot box. Reviews and ratings were also up. A record 19.4 million people tuned in to the debates.
To address issues related to the 2025 debates, the commission is proposing a number of improvements. These are set out in the report we published last fall.
With respect to participation criteria, the recommendation is to use the final list of confirmed candidates published by Elections Canada for political parties, relying on the criterion of endorsing candidates in at least 90% of federal ridings. As for media accreditation, the commission recommends continuing to provide on-site accreditation but to no longer be responsible for the leaders' press conferences, which have traditionally taken place after the debates, or provide a venue for that purpose.
In closing, let me return to the $3 million we are seeking for 2026-27. Again, that is the planned spending if there is an election in that period. Otherwise, our projected operating budget for the year will be $739,000.
Thank you.
I'd be pleased to answer your questions now.
