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.
2:45 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
There is permanent controlled access to the room in which the documents are maintained. The documents are maintained under lock within the room. That's accessible only to the people who are dealing with the investigation.
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
2:45 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
It varies. I would have to provide more certainty, but I believe it's about five people.
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
It's five people.
A real concern is that Elections Canada is now in possession of Conservative election strategy as a result of the documentation you seized. My question to you, sir, is this: has that strategy been shared with the Liberal Party of Canada?
2:45 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
We are not in possession of documents that reflect the strategy of the party. These documents have been claimed under privilege. They have been sealed ever since the search was carried out, and I believe proceedings are coming up at some point in time before the court to determine if and how those documents could be accessed.
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Do you agree that a registered party can transfer money to a local candidate?
2:45 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
They can transfer to their local candidate, yes.
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
I am told that in the 2006 federal general election, the Liberal Party made monetary transfers to candidates in a total amount of about $1.7 million, the NDP almost $900,000, and the Bloc Québécois over $700,000. Without asking you to confirm these numbers that I've just given you, is it safe to say that this is a routine practice and that Elections Canada has no problem with it?
2:45 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
It's a common practice. Transfers are allowed between entities of the same affiliation.
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Can a party not make transfers to a candidate up to the candidate's spending limit?
2:45 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
They can transfer over the spending limit. The limit is on the spending, not on the transfer.
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Of course, but...you didn't listen to my question. Can a party not make transfers to a candidate up to the candidate's spending limit? The candidate has spending limits too.
2:45 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
Yes, it could transfer, in theory--
2:45 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
It could transfer $100,000, which is $20,000 over the candidate's--
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Thank you.
Can a party not make such transfers to all of its candidates?
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Can the candidate then spend up to the limit on his election expense?
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Can a party not seek to maximize the spending opportunities of its candidates by transferring the necessary funds to them?
2:50 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I think you have to be careful there. Again, as I mentioned earlier today--
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
We're always careful, sir. I want to know whether they can do it or not.
2:50 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I think the expenses have to be incurred by the candidate.
2:50 p.m.
Conservative
David Tilson Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
Can the candidates not then spend that money on election expenses?