Leaders’ Debates Commission
The Leaders' Debates Commission is an independent and impartial public body mandated to organize leaders' debates in Canada's federal general elections.
The Commission is committed to best serving the public interest and making leaders' debates more predictable, reliable, and stable.
Why Debates Matter
Debates play an essential role in Canada's democracy: to learn about the leaders' policy positions and party platforms and shed light on their character.
Democratic Exercises
Debates are democratic exercises dedicated to the voting public, there to serve and inform.
Public Interest
Debates are about serving the public interest and responding to the needs of the voters by helping them make an informed choice at the ballot box. Making an informed decision is part of a thriving and healthy democracy.
A Live Debate - Unedited and Unfiltered Information
Authentic Record
In an age of disinformation, fragmentation of audiences and polarization of public opinion, leaders' debates produce an authentic record of party positions that Canadians can come back to repeatedly.
International Research
The Leaders' Debates Commission conducts research on best practices related to debates on an ongoing basis, consulting with debate organizers from around the world.
Format
The Leaders' Debates Commission believes a simple format best serves the public interest.
Moderation
The Leaders' Debates Commission believes that one single moderator - an experienced journalist - best serves the public interest.
News
Leaders’ Debates Commission invites leaders to the next leaders’ debates
April 1, 2025 – Ottawa (Ontario) - The Leaders’ Debates Commission has invited the leaders of five political parties to participate in the upcoming leaders’ debates, resting its decision on the participation criteria released on January 14, 2025.
Leaders’ Debates Commission announces dates, location for upcoming debates, and leader participation decision date
March 24, 2025 – Ottawa (Ontario) - The Leaders’ Debates Commission today unveils the location and dates of the upcoming leaders' debates as well as the decision date for the invitation of the party leaders.
Media accreditation for the 45th General Election is open
March 24, 2025 – Ottawa (Ontario) - The Leaders’ Debates Commission is inviting media representatives to apply for accreditation for the next leaders’ debates.
Leaders' Debates Commission issues its participation criteria for next federal general election
January 14, 2025 – Ottawa (Ontario) - Today, the Leaders’ Debates Commission announces the participation criteria for the next federal leaders' debates.
45th General Election: Leaders’ Debates Commission names debates producer and moderators
October 28, 2024 – Ottawa (Ontario) - Today, the Leader’s Debates Commission announces the debates producer and moderators for two leaders' debates, one in English and one in French.
Leaders' Debates Commission issues its Request for Proposal (RFP) for the next leaders' debates
July 4, 2024 – Ottawa (Ontario) – The Leaders' Debates Commission has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a debates producer, the organization or joint venture which will be contracted by the Commission, to promote, produce and distribute two leaders' debates - one in French and one in English - for the 45th general election.
Leaders' Debates Commission releases its final report on the 2021 federal election experience
May 10, 2022 – Ottawa (Ontario) – Today Commissioner David Johnston releases the Leaders' Debates Commission's final report entitled Democracy matters: Making debates count for citizens.
