Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes. I stand to be corrected by the broadcast networks, but that is what I learned.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think it's legitimate for the state to have an interest in this element of campaigns, as it has an interest in so many other elements of campaigns. I think it's really hard to do it in such a way that things improve.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I've heard people refer to the presidential debate commission in the United States as a model. I would urge this committee to actually study how the presidential debate commission works. It's a farce. It's a racket by the old-line parties to ensure their monopoly over the White H

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The question is, should the commissioner get all-party support?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I view the commissioner as a rough equivalent to an officer of Parliament, and I think merely consulting would not be enough. I think there should be some level of consensus reached around.... You're nominating a person who would normally hold that office when the party currently

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It sure is. I'm not going to solve that conundrum for you. I'm glad this committee is taking some time to ponder questions like that.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It was. I made it my business, because I was trying to get ready to moderate a debate, which was essentially a journalistic job. I didn't pay close attention to those discussions. My understanding is that Rogers offered the feed to other broadcasters for the kind of fee that is n

Procedure and House Affairs committee  My strong preference is for a variety of leaders' debates in each campaign. We have to look at the real world. The more debates that are organized by an independent commissioner, the higher the likelihood that one or more leaders will decide not to show up for some and indeed to

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and honourable members. It is thrilling for me to be speaking to your committee. This is the first time in 23 years on Parliament Hill that I'm sitting in a witness chair instead of at the media table.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm happy to notice that my colleagues are doing what I normally do, which is skipping a committee meeting. And don't worry, I have no intention of making a habit of this. I should note that while I am an employee of Maclean's and of Rogers, and I have always been a keen student