Thank you. And thank you for that ruling. I don't agree with it, because let me put it this way: I never even got started.
The subamendment I'm speaking to is the addition of “in the past elections”. Now, Mr. Chair, I have been involved in past elections. I've been involved in past elections as a candidate. In 2004, I was a candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada. I've been involved in past elections as a campaign manager. I've been involved in past elections as a candidate for nomination in 1997, in which I did not receive the nomination. I was with the Progressive Conservative Party, as it existed at that time, and I ran as a nomination candidate.
I think it's important that if this amendment passes and the subamendment passes.... The amendment talks about similar ethical practices of other parties, and that the committee will broaden its investigation to include ethical practices and make recommendations. Those recommendations would obviously affect Elections Canada in how they operate, not just how the legislation is put but how they operate.
And for me, as someone who has experience in previous elections as a candidate and as a campaign manager.... I was a campaign manager in 1993. In 1997, I was a nomination candidate. And when was the next one? It was in 2000. They were so quick.