Tories dismiss new format, but will still take part in leaders’ debates

The Conservatives objected to the new format in a recent House committee report, calling the appointment of a new commissioner to oversee debates an example of ‘government intervention.’ The objections are just ‘partisan positioning,’ says the parliamentary secretary to the democratic institutions minister.

The Liberals have put $6-million in the budget to set up a new commissioner and office to co-ordinate leaders' debates ahead of the next election. From left, Green Party leader Elizabeth May, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, and Bloc Québécois leader Martine Ouellet.The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

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BY SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN

March 28, 2018

Despite the scathing Conservative objection to a recent House committee recommendation for an independent commissioner to organize leaders' debates, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer will still participate in debates during the federal election.

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