Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to add a minor point that doesn't have anything to do with the report of the Chief Electoral Officer. Mr. Kingsley referred to allowances for auditors.
I've distributed a small package that refers to a provision in the Manitoba act, which I'd like to refer for your consideration. When I appeared on Bill C-24, which I guess was three years ago now, having acted as legal counsel to a party for a long time, I was very concerned about the new compliance burdens that would be placed for the first time on riding associations, nomination contestants, and leadership contestants, as well as new burdens on parties and so on. I made a reference at that time to the Manitoba provision, and I'd just like to take another stab at it.
The Bill C-24 process was very compressed. Maybe with a bit more leisure, this committee could have a look at this Manitoba provision, which essentially excludes, as a contribution, the services of someone acting, and it says on page 2, “as an auditor, financial agent, official agent or legal counsel”. On page 3 is a possible amendment to the Canada Elections Act along the lines of Manitoba. I just put that out there for your consideration. Compliance is an issue, and I think we see that increasingly under the legislation. There is such a great need now for financial accounting under Bill C-24.
This might be something the committee might want to look at. If people who are incorporated or giving more than $1,000 are willing to help out a riding association on these financial compliances, should it really be deemed to be an illegal contribution? I just put that forward for your consideration.