Real Change: A New Plan For a Strong Middle Class (page 27)

"The Government proposes to provide $6 million over two years, to be repeated every pre-election and election year, to support a new process that would ensure that federal leaders’ debates are organized in the public interest and improve Canadians’ knowledge of the parties, their leaders and their policy positions"

(Equality Growth - A Strong Middle Class page 188, February 27, 2018)

"The old television consortium model is broken and a full commission is needed to oversee televised leaders’ debates to ensure all Canadians have what they need to make a well-informed decision when they cast their ballots, according to a report by the Institute for Research on Public Policy published Friday morning." (iPolitics, April 27, 2018)

"What follows is a summary of what was heard from Canadians through the online consultation, which was held from January 11, 2017 to February 12, 2018 and which will help inform ongoing policy work.  Over 400 comments were received; additionally, over 14,000 emails were received outside of the online consultation portal as the result of a form letter writing campaign. To the greatest extent possible, the input received is presented in Canadians’ own words. The views expressed below do not represent the position of the Government of Canada." (Online consultation on political party leaders’ debates: What was heard - Government of Canada)

"In response, Canada’s Minister of Democratic Institutions was mandated by the Prime Minister to create an independent commission to organize political party leaders’ debates in federal election campaigns. As part of the consultation exercise launched by the Minister, the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) facilitated five round tables ─ in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver ─ to seek the views of experts and stakeholders on this reform. Although there were disagreements, many points of convergence emerged from the discussions. The following is a summary of recommendations, based on the IRPP’s assessment of what was heard throughout this consultation exercise: 1. The Government of Canada should proceed with the creation of an independent body to oversee leaders’ debates during federal election campaigns....2. The government should opt for a commission over an individual commissioner....." (Creating an Independent Commission for Federal Leaders’ Debates Round Table Report - Government of Canada and Institute for Research on Public Policy)