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.

Bidders are welcome to bid on the French-language debate, English-language debate, or both debates.

In the RFP, the Commission is setting out its production requirements for the next leaders' debates in terms of both format and moderation.

Public Interest

The Commission identifies that the public interest is best served by having:

• a simple format that encourages meaningful exchanges between the leaders, helps Canadians learn about their policy positions and party platforms and sheds light on the leaders' character;
• one moderator for each debate - an experienced journalist - with no other journalists or hosts on stage; and
• a simple and intimate set and production design that keeps the focus on the leaders and on the content of the debate.

Format

The Commission consulted widely after the 2021 federal elections, speaking with more than 50 debate organizers from here and other countries to identify the best practices for effective and informative debates.

The principal finding that emerged from the Commission's consultations is a need for a simple and flexible format that encourages meaningful exchanges between the leaders, i.e., a format that favours a natural flow and open exchanges between the leaders (instead of rigid timed segments), and keeps the focus on them, and their policy positions and party platforms.  

The Commission has identified format principles which take into account the summary of these international and national stakeholder consultations and establish the direction that the Commission is looking to take for the next leaders' debates.

Moderation

In the RFP, the Commission also establishes the selection criteria for the moderator, with the Commission identifying the responsibilities, qualities, and attributes that a moderator should have and the role that a moderator should play in the next leaders' debates.

The Commission specifies that each debate must be moderated by a journalist with experience moderating debates and substantial hours of live television experience running panels and programs with many people on stage or set.

The Commission also stipulates that the moderator is to be on stage as a facilitator and act as the conductor of the debate, there to serve the voting audience.

In the RFP, the Commission indicates that the moderator for each debate will be selected by the debates producer and the selection must be based on the criteria defined by the Commission.

The RFP can be found here: (https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/ws4628584628-doc4650790039)

Contact:

Chantal Ouimet
Director, Strategic Policy, Operations & Communications
Chantal.Ouimet@debates-debats.ca

Website: www.debates-debats.ca
X: @debates_can / @debats_can