Thank you, Mr. Chair.
This is about accountability. However, I believe this clause has been included out of a concern for transparency. It makes it possible to ensure even more that people who may be in possession of trusts do not wind up in situations of conflict of interest at the time of an election.
As Marlene said, people who are in possession of trusts are not legion. Whatever the case may be, declaring to the Chief Electoral Officer at the outset that there is or is not a trust would ensure that candidates who run are clean beyond any doubt. That would prevent the Ethics Commissioner from one day discovering that elected representatives have benefited from trusts and that, consequently, by-elections must be held, which would be tiresome. So, Mr. Chairman, I believe we should examine this question.
I also want to emphasize that the NDP's amendment 1.1 is the same in all respects as that of the Liberal Party. We should ensure it is withdrawn.