Mr. Chairman, first let me thank everyone once again for their kind words. You have my gratitude.
I believe that I tabled three major reports before Parliament, and before this very committee. In each report, I specified some important amendments that the legislation required.
There is one thing that I always found interesting. We sometimes heard that the Chief Electoral Officer was trying to seize power through recommendations. On the other hand, there were times when I appeared before the committee, and the members entrusted me with responsibilities. I would ask them if this was what they really wanted. I understood that the best way to get something was to start out by refusing it.
That being said, I do not think that there are any major shortcomings. As I said in several reports, I know that we are not there yet and that the road will not be easy. For the returning officers, the process took 17 years minus one week. In fact, although Bill C-2 had already passed, it was only on last February 10 that the governor in council authorized the Chief Electoral Officer to appoint returning officers.
The Chief Electoral Officer's ability to access the essential documents and accounts of political parties is an issue about which I already wrote to you. I understand your reluctance, but this issue will have to be settled sooner or later. This would help to keep a balance with the information that the political parties provide. In fact, the reports that the parties make are different from the reports that you file as members. You have to show evidence, whereas the parties do not have to do so. It is very difficult to make this compatible with the rule of law. Is this an irritant? Let us say that this is an issue that the committee and Parliament will have to solve.