Procedure and House Affairs committee  I guess at some point the electoral official may try to validate a little bit more.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, I agree. It can only be used for those purposes set out in the Canada Elections Act.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We have only looked at signage. I'm not sure that I want to go that far. Sometimes that's inevitable.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think everyone is trying to secure the same facilities at about the same time when an election is called.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mind you, if we know that a candidate will be setting up his campaign office in a particular place, we try to avoid putting a polling station in the same building, insofar as possible.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, if we are the first ones to lease space. As I say, it would be quite exceptional. It would only happen in markets where there really is no commercial space to lease.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'll ask my colleague Mr. Perrault to comment.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's correct. However, what is proposed in the recommendation is not that different from the current regime in provinces all across Canada. It grants a certain amount of discretion with respect to custody of the ballot boxes, particularly those used for advance polling. The gen

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That is an option the Committee may want to consider. However, we have reviewed the situation as a whole. The deputy returning officer has two pieces of ID in front of him—such as a driver's licence—which reflect the data that appears on the voters' list. In our opinion, the birt

Procedure and House Affairs committee  If you have a driver's permit with your picture on it, as well as your name and address, I'm not sure the date of birth… I think it could put election staff in a very difficult position. Just imagine the scene: a DRO sees a voter, his picture and address—the same information as o

Procedure and House Affairs committee  You referred to the report released by the Privacy Commissioner, who relates certain problems in that regard and talks about the need to consider an amendment.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, fortunately we have not, but this provision is intended to remove that risk.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, it hasn't been that long. It was introduced into the legislation in 2007. There has only been one election where the date of birth was used.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We'll see how much is outstanding when the next report comes in.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The appeal on the GST matter has been heard by the Ontario Court of Appeal, I think it was last June, and the decision could come out any time. On the other matter before the Federal Court, dates have now been set for hearing the appeal at the end of November.