Bill 78 explained in plain English

Bill 78 creates a new Commissioner for Democratic Rights position in Ontario, an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly who will monitor voting barriers, review laws and government actions affecting democracy, and make recommendations to strengthen democratic processes.

Bill 78 proposes to create a new position called the Commissioner for Democratic Rights in Ontario. This Commissioner would be an independent officer who works for the Ontario Legislative Assembly, not for any political party. **How the Commissioner is appointed:** A special panel made up of one member from each recognized political party, chaired by the Speaker, would suggest candidates. The Assembly would need to unanimously agree on the candidate before appointing them. This process is meant to ensure the appointment is fair and not controlled by any one party. **How long they serve:** The Commissioner would serve for 5 years and could be reappointed for one more 5-year term (maximum 10 years total). The Commissioner cannot be a member of the Assembly and cannot hold other jobs without approval from the Assembly. **What the Commissioner would do:** 1. Watch for barriers that prevent people from voting 2. Review Ontario laws, regulations, and government actions to see how they affect democratic rights and processes 3. Look at cases where the Ontario government has made changes to how local governments, councils, or elections work 4. Promote civic education, encourage people to participate in democracy, and prepare special reports for the Assembly about the state of democracy in Ontario **Powers:** The Commissioner could question people under oath, conduct formal inquiries (similar to a public inquiry), and investigate matters related to their duties. **Timeline:** The bill would take effect 12 months after it receives Royal Assent (the final approval from the Ontario government). **Costs:** The Legislature would decide how much to pay the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and other staff, but only if money has been set aside for this purpose in the budget.