Evidence of meeting #54 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 loans.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
I would have to go back to the text.
Stephane Perrault
At first glance, I think that could be the case, but I cannot say so with certitude. We would have to study the question. It could prevent you from making any further contribution for that year, but I would have to check.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
I appreciate that you don't have an answer right now. I would like you to give us your opinion, because if the opinion is that we are prevented from contributing another $1,100, we may want to, as a committee, take a look at that and make an amendment to the bill.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Goodyear
Could I just ask for some order?
I know we're having a bit of a conversation, and it's not that I'm lonely up here, but I would like folks to talk to the chair, partly because then it can get on the record with the very good comments I can hear out of one ear, but barely.
That's all fine. Thank you very much. I understand your questions are done. I have no one else on my list, so I'm going to take the opportunity to ask a follow-up question.
On this issue of the contributions being paid back and whether or not the person can then use that to donate to a different candidate or perhaps the same candidate in the year, I appreciate that you're going to get back to us on your interpretation, but I wouldn't mind if you could also look at the income tax ramifications of that and the ability to write off. I wouldn't want to see somebody get a loan paid back but still ultimately have a write-off on their income tax. Perhaps you could clarify that as well.
Having no more names on the list, we will dismiss our witnesses with the understanding that you will provide your further research to the committee.
I want to express yet again the committee's appreciation for the hard work you've done. All members, you should know, received their briefing notes yesterday as well. I was watching a terrible hockey game last night that did not come out the way I wanted it, so I found my reading material to be quite enlightening and a lot of fun. All members here have been under the gun to get this legislation up and prepare themselves for this meeting today. I appreciate all members doing that, and in particular the witnesses today.
I would just offer that if we could possibly have your analysis in the hands of our clerk, would next Wednesday be difficult? That would allow the committee to have your report for their Thursday meeting.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
We will provide our analysis by Wednesday. If there are areas we think we have not had a chance to fully explore, we will point that out.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Goodyear
Thank you very much. The chair and the committee appreciate your hard work, and we appreciate you coming today. You can certainly dismiss yourselves.
Colleagues, because we need to discuss future business of the committee right now, please don't dismiss yourselves for a few minutes.
I want to ask colleagues if they feel we should go in camera or not. I want to talk about the time limit on this study, potential witnesses, etc. Do colleagues feel we should go in camera for that discussion?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Goodyear
Let's take 30 seconds while our witnesses dismiss themselves from the room.
Please don't get up; we'll be right back.
[Proceedings continue in camera]