Evidence of meeting #35 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Goodyear
Colleagues, we are now on to clause 42. There is a government amendment to clause 42. It is amendment G-8, and it's on page 40 of your package.
I would ask Mr. Reid to please move the amendment and speak to it. Thank you.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON
I move the amendment.
The purpose of this amendment is to allow the coming into force of the bill to happen as soon as is realistically possible. As worded in the initial draft of the bill, it says that the act “comes into force six months after the day on which it is assented to”. If you look at that language, you'll see that there is a provision in the Elections Act that says basically all amendments to the Elections Act come into force within six months unless the Chief Electoral Officer publishes a notice in the Canada Gazette to indicate that necessary preparations have taken place.
When the Chief Electoral Officer was here as a witness, he indicated that the six-month deadline would be difficult to achieve with regard to the voters list provisions, but for other provisions of the bill it would be no challenge to achieve these changes. I think we can understand how some of the provisions really take no preliminary effort on his part at all and are simply areas to carry through on.
I specifically asked him at that time about the identity considerations. I raised the issue of the length of time required before an election takes place, and I inquired about whether there would be any problems with his coming back with a list. He indicated to us at that time that he could come back to meet with this committee and go through the process he proposes: his list of suggested identification and then getting our approval immediately upon the coming into force of the act.
All of this allows for all the parts of the act, other than those that relate to the electors list, to occur more quickly. That's effectively what happens under the proposed amendment to clause 42.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Goodyear
Thank you, Mr. Reid.
Are there any comments on that? Are you ready for the question?
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 42 as amended agreed to)
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Goodyear
Colleagues, we've done our clauses. I'm going to carry on with the other parts of business.
Shall the title carry?
4:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
4:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
On division.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
4:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Goodyear
Shall the committee order a reprint of the bill as a working copy for the House at report stage?
4:55 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Goodyear
Colleagues, that ends the discussion on Bill C-31. I do thank you very much for your diligence and efforts.
Is there any other business? No?
Merry Christmas to everybody, and thank you very much. Have a great and safe holiday season.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON
Mr. Chairman, I think there was something relating to subcommittee business and a letter. Did the clerk get that circulated?
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
December 12th, 2006 / 4:55 p.m.
The Clerk of the Committee
Members of the subcommittee—Ms. Jennings, Madame Picard, Mr. Dewar, and Mr. Reid—all received copies of two letters this morning. We need to check and see if they agree with those letters.
If everyone agrees with those letters, Mr. Reid will sign them and they will be sent to Mr. Shapiro and to the whips.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
Scott Reid Conservative Lanark—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington, ON
One more thing, Madam Clerk. Is it my responsibility to give them to the whips, or is that the responsibility of each of the respective...?
4:55 p.m.
The Clerk
I will send you the letters to sign tomorrow, and then the letters will be sent to the whips by my office, and to Dr. Shapiro.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Goodyear
Is there any further business?
There will be no meeting on Thursday.
Have a great holiday, be safe, and Merry Christmas.
The meeting is adjourned.