Procedure and House Affairs committee  We have a small office not far from Parliament, on Sparks Street. I haven't seen it yet. I also have an office at the Rideau Hall Foundation.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  There will be an office.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It was a privilege.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Fortunately, the mandate provides criteria that are very helpful. I thank your committee for the job you have done not only on that question, but a number of questions. There are three criteria, two of which must be met. The first two are reasonably clear. The third could present some interpretation issues.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I have spent the bulk of my life involved with institutions, universities, commissions and public policy task forces. As I said in my opening statement, I have moderated three debates in the past. As I see it, debates are an essential part of our democracy and democratic way of life.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The biggest change is social media. It's a revolution, really. The range of stakeholder interests and media is broad. It's necessary to engage young people in the political process, not to mention all Canadians, not just by taking a traditional approach to debates, but also by using new platforms.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The digital revolution is in full swing.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That is correct. Another important consideration is to foster a more comprehensive discourse so that Canadians are encouraged to really consider the options available, rather than just reacting to the important issues affecting the country right now.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That is correct. The easiest solution is to hold the two debates in both official languages. My hope is that the content of the debates will be widely disseminated and that people also consider the big questions that inform our democratic process. We will have to work very hard to make people care more about the debates, so that they pay closer attention to what's being said and a more robust discourse ensues.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. It's a pleasure and honour to appear before this committee. I would like to thank the members of the committee for giving me an opportunity to discuss a very important issue—the way in which federal leaders' debates are organized in Canada. I would like to thank the members around the table for their in-depth study of such an important part of Canadian democracy.