Moderation

The Leaders' Debates Commission has identified through international and national consultations, the responsibilities, qualities, and attributes that a moderator should have and the role that a moderator should play in the next debates.

The role of "moderator" refers to any person on the debate stage who steers or chairs the debate or engages with leaders by posing questions and follows up with questions to the leaders. For greater clarity, a journalist who is on stage engaging with the leaders, asking them questions and following up with questions to the leaders is a de facto moderator.

The Commission has determined that there will be one moderator for each debate and the moderator for each debate must be an experienced journalist. No other journalists or hosts will be on stage.

The moderator will be selected by the debates producer and the selection must be based on the criteria defined by the Commission.

The debates producer must choose a moderator who embodies the following characteristics:

• Has experience moderating debates;
• Has substantial hours of live television experience running panels or programs with many people on stage or set;
• Has the experience to allow flexibility within the format;
• Is knowledgeable about the major issues of the election campaign. (Note: While a moderator's knowledge of politics is important, the moderator may not need to be someone who is involved in daily political coverage);
• Formulates and poses questions in a neutral way, does not express an opinion or frame a question to the leaders in an opinionated or partisan way;
• Formulates and poses questions in a way that elicits illuminating exchanges between the leaders and clarifies positions;
• Has the experience necessary to control the discussion, move it along, intervene when appropriate and avoid/minimize crosstalk;
• Is able to set a tone that encourages discussion and facilitates debate between the leaders;
• Has the demonstrative ability and experience to intervene firmly but politely and adeptly;
• Has gravitas and authority; and
• Recognizes that the debate focus and attention is on the leaders. 

Role and responsibility of the moderator is to:

• Be involved in the development of the format;
• Work with a team to formulate the questions and develop the themes;
• Be on stage as a facilitator, while keeping the debate focus and attention on the leaders;
• Act as the conductor of the debate and get the debate flowing between the leaders, while facilitating discussion and eliciting exchanges between the leaders;
• Allow leaders to challenge each other's positions and leave rebuttals largely to them;
• Serve the public interest and voting audience by allowing Canadians to hear about the parties' platforms and policy positions;
• Draw out policy positions and create an environment where the leaders can illuminate the differences;
• Navigate the discussion and have full responsibility over the unfolding debate (flexibility in format);
• Establish strong eyeline with each leader to be able to intervene politely, control the discussion and minimize crosstalk; and
• Take part in dry runs and rehearsals with stand ins.