At present, we are talking about eight returning officer positions. There may be more, but those are the eight I have observed across Canada. Of course, you know that the last position on the list is that of the returning officer for Louis-Hébert. The incumbent in Louis-Hébert passed away on April 18. There are other vacancies as well, including Hamilton, Yukon and others. In all, there are eight.
Section 28(4) of the Canada Elections Act states that the Governor in Council --in other words, the government -- has 60 days to appoint a new returning officer.
The government is showing some willingness. You had some reservations about Bill C-312. Here, everyone knows my tendency to boast -- but new members are not familiar with my proverbial humility. In any case, the Bloc Québécois is very happy to see that Bill C-2 provides for non-partisan appointments, something that the Bloc Québécois has been demanding for a long time. I am sure that the word I used in French -- départisanées -- does not actually exist, but it will serve as a neologism. I am talking about eliminating partisan politics from the process of appointing returning officers.
In the meantime, what is being done about those eight vacant positions? Have you already asked the Governor in Council to make a start? The legislation is not being complied with in three ridings. As for the riding of Battlefords--Lloydminster, the deadline is May 1. It would make no sense for the government to go ahead with these appointments immediately.
I would therefore like to hear your views on the transition we should be making between the current appointment process and the appointment process put forward in Bill C-2.