Thanks, Mr. Chair.
I will be quite brief because I do want to allow lots of time for our witnesses tonight.
However, there have been some reports out there, particularly in the media, about the fact that Elections Canada has contracts, and there have been payments and remuneration made by Elections Canada to some of the witnesses who appeared before our committee on this study. As an example, Paul Thomas appeared before the committee on Monday evening last week, I believe. There was no indication given during his testimony or otherwise that he did, in fact, have a contract from Elections Canada, which was something that I think should have been disclosed.
We can argue over whether that's a good thing or not, but certainly, as an example, as members of Parliament we disclose any of our financial interests under the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons. It is incumbent that witnesses should, in fact, disclose any financial interests they might have in coming before a committee.
What I'm asking you to do, Mr. Chair, is to write to Mr. Mayrand, the Elections Canada CEO, and ask that he disclose any of the contracts that witnesses who have appeared before this committee, testifying on this bill, have with Elections Canada, and if he would also disclose the nature of the work that's been performed in exchange for that remuneration.
Mr. Mayrand does report to Parliament through this committee and we deserve to have those answers. That disclosure should be made, so I'm asking you to write to Mr. Mayrand and ask for that disclosure to be provided to the committee.