Procedure and House Affairs committee  Ultimately, it was the Liberal government. How can we possibly trust in this being an independent body and organization, and in the independence of these debates, when I have referred to two processes and a mandate that were directed by the Liberal government? We can talk around

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's great. Thank you, sir. What, then, is the principal role of the advisory board in relation to organizing the 2019 leaders debates, please?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  When they come to decisions, do they use consensus or do they vote on the issues?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Can any decisions that come out of the advisory board be overturned by anyone, including you, if deemed necessary?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As for the decisions that come out of the advisory board, will they be advising the producer directly, or will these decisions go through you first?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm referring to the decisions that come out of the advisory board, their discussions and recommendations. Will these recommendations be directly to the producer, or will they go through you first?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Will there be a separate producer for each debate, or will a single producer produce all of the debates?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  When you accepted this role of debate commissioner, what motivated you to accept it? Why did you think that this was a good idea, as an alternative to how debates have traditionally been done in elections in Canada?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Chair. Sorry, I'm just trying to decide how to address you here. There are so many options. I would like to turn, if I could, please, to the advisory board members. How are these individuals selected to be on the advisory board, please?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm aware of the membership, sir. Thank you so much. What you're saying is that it wasn't an open application process.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  All right. Was there any correspondence or discussion with you and the Office of the Prime Minister, the Privy Council Office or the Minister of Democratic Institutions regarding the selection of these advisory board members?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Okay. Can you remind us, please, who is on the secretariat that you refer to.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  One moment, Chair.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.