Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, I agree with that. From reading the recommendation, it was not our understanding that Elections Canada was trying to change the rules on this. They're simply stating here that Parliament should adopt clear provisions in the act “that define under what circumstances expenses incurred to organize a candidates' debate consist of a non-monetary contribution”.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  In reading their recommendation, that is my understanding.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Our understanding is that this is already going on. Elections Canada has developed internal rules and a framework in terms of expenses that should or should not be recorded in the return. Our understanding is that they were looking at codifying these rules into legislation so that everyone is working from a level playing field.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We are in favour.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We recognize that any list is going to have its limitations. The voting list, as we have it now, is a useful tool. On Internet registration, we are in favour of it, and we believe that the regulator is fully capable of dealing with all the potential security and fraud issues. That can be dealt with.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As a political party, we're not certain that we would be able to develop the rules regarding Internet registration. This is why we would rely on Elections Canada to develop those and then allow the parties to comment on whether those rules are going to meet our needs.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We believe that this is a decision best left to government and Parliament.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I was just giving examples.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I think a framework would need to be developed so that you would end up having a graduated repayment. At one point it's dollar for dollar, then it's one dollar for two dollars, then one dollar for three dollars.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Correct: it would be more severe.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That is correct.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We understand the reasons for Elections Canada's recommendation. It becomes very difficult if you start putting limits on determining whether you can do it for a household of four versus a household of eleven versus a household of fifteen. You are, in some cases, going to get households with adults at one address.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We only commented on the two options that were presented by the Chief Electoral Officer. Certainly it would be very logical that if an extension were granted by the Chief Electoral Officer there would be no penalty within that time period.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As I mentioned, I think there has been a learning experience that the political industry has gained from these leadership conventions in the Liberal Party--Elections Canada and the other political parties as well. I think it's also the question that the Liberal Party of Canada has recognized that these leadership conventions can't continue in the way they did prior to when they were regulated.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The thing that really hinders leadership candidates is trying to run a national campaign on $1,000 contributions. You can think of the number of contributors that requires. This is a huge effort. You're a candidate. You know how difficult it is sometimes in your own riding, yet as a leadership candidate, you're doing this across 308.