Evidence of meeting #4 for Electoral Reform in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was system.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
John Aldag Liberal Cloverdale—Langley City, BC
Sure, and what you're saying leads into my second area, and that's the issue of aboriginal engagement, which we haven't talked about. Do you have any thoughts on how we increase aboriginal engagement?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
Again, it's an ongoing challenge for Elections Canada. Mind you, there has been progress. I think we need to take stock of things. The participation rate of first nations has increased consistently over the last several elections, and it's progressively closing the gap with the rest of the population.
It's very easy for me to say that, but depending on where you live in the country, you will see great disparities in turnout and in participation. Again, that's a challenge: how do you build a trust relationship so we can engage again with communities, and adapt our service offering to their cultural, societal needs?
Again, I'll bring it back to my original challenge: we need some flexibility in the legislation.
Liberal
John Aldag Liberal Cloverdale—Langley City, BC
The third one is, simply, what would you say is a unique Canadian attribute that we need to consider when moving forward? Of all the things we talked about, what would be the number one Canadian challenge or attribute that we need to have front of mind as we design a new system?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
I would say that an attribute in Canada is no different from other countries. You will soon see some surveys that have been done from various perspectives, and multiple surveys that show that Canadians have an extremely high level of trust in their electoral system. This is very fragile. Once you lose it, it's very difficult to regain.
My caution, or my point here, is this: be extremely careful and sensitive to anything that's being done that may impact the trust of Canadians.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Thank you very much, Mr. Mayrand.
I'd like to thank you for joining us today. You've given us insight and key guidelines that have helped us put matters into context. You've clarified multiple technical points.
I, too, want to thank you for your outstanding service during your time in office. I wish you great success in the future.
I would remind members of the steering committee that we have a meeting at 1:15 in Room 112-N.
Did I forget something? No. Okay, then. Thank you kindly, Mr. Mayrand.
Our thanks to Mr. Perrault and Mr. Roussel, as well.
Fellow members, thank you. See you shortly.