Procedure and House Affairs committee  I tend to disagree with the idea that it isn't necessary to broadcast the debate on television. I think that, in order for it to truly be a national debate, it has to be carried by CBC, Radio-Canada or some other major network. We saw that with the Montreal mayoral debate I ment

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think it should be mandatory for CBC/Radio-Canada, as the public broadcaster. Broadcasting an event of that nature falls entirely within its public television mandate.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm going to answer both of your questions at the same time. I think what the committee members have to do is find a way to organize a major debate in each official language that leaders cannot avoid, an event that is eagerly anticipated because it is recognized as the most impo

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Christopherson, I'd like to add one thing, if I may. I don't think leaders who fail to show up to a debate pay a democratic price or other penalty in voters' minds. People don't even remember that, in the 2015 election, one of the two major party leaders did not participate

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, to make a point.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's an excellent question. To be perfectly frank, I find it a bit unsettling. I'll explain my hesitation regarding the creation of a commissioner. From one year to the next, from one political cycle to the next, from one election cycle to the next, things change very quickly.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  There are three key things I would add to that. First of all, it's important to have at least one major debate in each official language. I think that's a given for everyone. Second, having a variety of formats is important, not just to appeal to Canadians, but also to test th

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I know witnesses who appeared before the committee in recent weeks put forward various scenarios. I think it is possible to establish a mechanism to somehow punish a leader who fails to participate in a leaders' debate or perhaps just the most important one. I would say it's nec

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I would simply add that making a debate available, in delayed time, on a website such as La Presse's is a potential solution that we haven't really seen in the past. It is clear that this is a one-shot deal event, and then it is over. I would say that posting the full debate, whe

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's a grey area. Despite asking every single time, we never manage to get an answer.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Would you mind repeating the question?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I wouldn't want to say definitely one way or the other, but it's an excellent question. I mentioned the municipal election in Montreal a month ago. The incumbent mayor decided that only one debate would be held and that the chamber of commerce would organize it. Radio-Canada and

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you for the question. It varies depending on the debate and the broadcaster. In Montreal, for instance, the people at TVA began to organize their own debates. They did not think the format involving multiple leaders was compelling enough. For business reasons, they opted t

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Good morning, Mr. Chair. Allow me to thank the chair, along with the members of the committee, for the invitation to contribute to your work. My name is François Cardinal; I'm chief editorialist and senior director of the debates section with the newspaper La Presse, in Montre