Procedure and House Affairs committee  I do not believe that Bill C-16 in any way changes a Government's morality or integrity. Under the current system, as with the system being proposed, people who are intent on using public funds for partisan purposes will still be able to do so. However, one fact remains: of the 40 parliamentary democracies across the globe, the vast majority have opted for fixed dates.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the Bloc Québécois, we are in favour of the principle that underlies this legislation, but we are not fooled by it. The Prime Minister's prerogative remains, and nothing in this bill assures us that the fixed date will be respected, particularly where a minority government is concerned.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We agree on the idea of keeping the number of registered voters per candidate at 100 so that a person can run as an official candidate. This practice exists. It's not a problem for us, and it guarantees a minimum degree of serious intent in candidates appearing on the list. There shouldn't be any homonyms simply to undermine the conduct of the vote.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  There's not really any problem with polling stations for those who have special ballots. However, we are told that more and more people think they can vote anywhere, even on election day. Until the electoral list has been computerized, it's completely unrealistic to think that we can allow people to vote wherever they want, at any polling station.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The Conservatives didn't make any comment. I'm prepared to wait if they want to think about it. We're obviously entirely in favour of that. I think it's the only way to ensure transparency, in the eyes of Quebeckers and Canadians, with regard to the first step in the democratic process, which is the appointment of returning officers.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I believe 90% of Quebeckers and Canadians have these kinds of documents. There should be exceptional measures for people who don't have them. If this measure is implemented, Elections Canada could advertise to encourage people to take those pieces with them when they go to vote.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's nevertheless strange that, at the very time the government wants to lower the age of consent for other things, we're having a discussion about a person who can make a contribution. More seriously, each party establishes rules regarding the minimum age for membership in the party.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  On the one hand, before you got here, the principle that the returning officer gives the numbers of electors who have voted—with a single number, that would be easy—was already referred to. I would add, with regard to the clarification of the electoral list, that, if we also have the voter's date of birth, we'll then have another tool available to all parties that would make it possible to clean up the voters list.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  On the one hand, I think that, if a list were really permanent, it would be possible to improve it, to correct it permanently. That would be one way to improve the list. Using a single and permanent voter number, regardless of moves that occur over time, is also another way to locate electors very easily and quickly and to avoid repetitions that undermine the precision of the electoral list.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As regards the idea of classifying membership fees and contributions, I don't see anything against it, in principle. However, guidelines should be established because there could be membership fees for honorary members representing several hundreds, even thousands of dollars. So some guidelines should be set, taking into account the different cultures within the various parties.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We entirely agree on the idea of drawing on the section from the Quebec Election Act. I don't think that's excessive. It doesn't delay the conduct of the vote. On the contrary, Quebec's voter turnout rates are generally higher than those of Canada. In addition, the polling stations are open for virtually the same number of hours.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As regards access to public places, I think the act should absolutely guarantee candidates unlimited access to public places. That was corrected in the past with regard to signage, but there were obstacles. The act clarified that, and I think we have to proceed the same way as regards access.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As regards the date of birth, we don't feel the privacy issue is a problem, since this provision has been in effect in Quebec for a long time. Some provisions require those in possession of electoral lists to undertake not to use them except for electoral purposes. This information is already in the possession of the returning officers.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are pleased to see that all parties are now in favour of one of Mr. Kingsley's main recommendations, that returning officers be appointed by the Chief Electoral Officer, thus echoing a recommendation that the Bloc québécois has often made. The last time, in December 2004, Mr.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  My name is Gilbert Gardener, and I'm from the Bloc québécois.