Procedure and House Affairs committee  That is a provision of the Elections Act. There was a change made recently. Previously, the list was sent out once a year in the fall, whereas now, it is sent out four times a year.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes. In fact, we ask every member of the National Assembly or member of Parliament who receives the list to sign an undertaking that the confidentiality of that list will be maintained and that they will ensure it is used only for the purposes for which it was designed. People have complained in the past about the fact that their elective representative called them to wish them a happy birthday or had sent them a birthday card after obtaining their personal information through the electoral list.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The task of recruiting theses individuals could be handled most appropriately by the returning officer in each riding. In any case, we already have to do it, because there are not enough people being recommended to us by the political parties.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  In Quebec — and since 2000, this also applies to Manitoba — the returning officer is chosen through a very rigourous open competition. That process is based on rules similar to the ones that apply to public service competitions. The returning officer is selected and appointed by the Chief Electoral Officer.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Well, as you say, there is nothing preventing the political parties from sending representatives to the polling stations to monitor what is going on throughout the day.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's up to the political parties to decide what they want them to do. In any case, at no time can they interfere with the voting process. They are there as observers, but they play no role in the electoral process.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The law provides for there to be two such officers. I have an obligation to ensure that there are two. If that is not possible, I have to make a special arrangement for there to be less than two.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The deputy returning officer.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That is the poll clerk.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, absolutely.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We have never experimented with that in Quebec. As we said previously, we have two electoral list officers and we already find that two is too many. We believe that one such officer would be adequate. On the other hand, you are asking whether it would be possible to do away with them altogether.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No. I was actually appointed on April 19, 2000 and took up my new duties in May 2000. I was from the outside.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's important to realize that the Quebec system is not perfect. Last year, as a result of recommendations I made following the 2003 General Election, a package of measures was passed by the National Assembly in Quebec which substantially amended the Quebec Elections Act, in order to make it easier for people in difficult circumstances to exercise their right to vote.