Evidence of meeting #44 for Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was elections.
A recording is available from Parliament.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Can the transferred money be used to buy election advertisement of whatever form--written, electronic, radio, TV?
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Is it necessary that the election advertisement be created, produced, prepared by the official agent of the candidate?
2:50 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I'll ask you to repeat that one; I'm sorry.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Is it necessary that the election advertisement be created, produced, prepared by the official agent of the candidate?
2:50 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I assume that in most cases the candidates don't have the capacity. They will purchase the production of the ads or the material from a supplier.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
2:50 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
Again, a candidate can purchase supplies of goods and services from a supplier.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Can an election advertisement be produced, created, or prepared by a registered party or by specialized firms for the registered party?
2:50 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
Again, a specialized firm can supply goods and services of commercial value to the candidates.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
In fact, that is a common practice for all major parties, is it not?
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Paul Szabo
You'll carry on, I'm sure, in the next round.
We now move to Madam Redman, please.
July 15th, 2008 / 2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Karen Redman Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Mayrand, I too have found your presentation very enlightening.
Along the lines that my colleague, Mr. Tilson, was just asking you, I think the real question is what's different with these 67 cases of Conservative candidates that raised red flags with Elections Canada.
As far as Elections Canada is aware, Retail Media did not generate any invoices to the candidates directly. Is that correct?
2:50 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I believe the invoices went to the party, and from the party to the candidates.
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Karen Redman Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
But it didn't go to the local candidates. So from the evidence you've seen, would you say there was no local control?
2:50 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid we're getting into the court case. These are all points that are now being made before the Federal Court.
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Karen Redman Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
So in your view, it's accurate to state that the media buys took place entirely under the control and direction of the Conservative Party and not by the local candidates?
2:50 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
Again, I refer you to the statement made before the Federal Court.
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Karen Redman Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
It's interesting how indignant the Conservative Party has been about bringing the full disclosure of this to Canadians through the committee process. It has been going on for months and months now.
We're in a minority government, and we could be going to the polls at any time. What measures have been put in place to ensure that if an election took place this wouldn't be repeated?
2:50 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
We just ran a nationwide training session for official agents, and we pointed out the duties and obligations of official agents and the basic rules governing expenditures during an electoral campaign. We recently issued a short pamphlet on “do's and don't's”. We issued a poster for agents—something for them to present to their staff and have in the riding office so that everybody can take note of what is okay and what is not. We've taken various measures of that nature to make sure that all entities are aware of the requirements of the legislation.
2:50 p.m.
Liberal
Karen Redman Liberal Kitchener Centre, ON
You mentioned the penalties for failing to submit proper documentation, which every candidate is required to do. Certainly, members sitting in the House have to do that before they take their seats.
In the case of the 17 candidates who have been identified by Elections Canada as participating in this scheme and who currently are sitting members of Parliament, some of them being public office holders, why hasn't this happened as yet? Why are they still being allowed to sit in the House?