Mr. Chairman, we propose the following:
(3) Sections 39 to 64 come into force on January 1 of the year next following the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent, but sections 63 and 64 do not apply in respect of monetary contributions made before that day.
We discussed the objective in question. I hope that was official, but it was at least informal, particularly when the directors general of the four major parties came and testified before our committee.
From what I understand, we all agree on the idea of reviewing political party financing. However, we think that changing the rules in the middle of the fiscal year would mean problems and restrictions for virtually all volunteer officers in all ridings. The witnesses who appeared were also of that view, and all parties appeared to be in agreement.
The idea here would be to ensure that this part of the Act on financing applies at the start of the fiscal year. That, to all intents and purposes, is what the amendment would state. I don't know whether the experts have anything to add, but it seems to me this is a matter of common sense.