Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to add a couple of comments.
One of the reasons I cannot support the amendment Mr. Reid has put forward is that, quite frankly, it is factually incorrect.
Just to speak a little bit to Mr. Epp's concerns, I would point out the fact that the mandate of this committee in the Standing Orders, under subparagraph 108(3)(a)(vi), talks about “the review of and report on all matters relating to the election of Members to the House of Commons”, so it certainly is within the purview and definition of this committee to be looking at this issue.
I'd also point out that we're not asking for the audit of any party. Every party, every candidate, files audits of their financial transactions during a campaign with Elections Canada. These allegations have been made by Elections Canada against the Conservative Party alone, not against the Green Party, the NDP, the Bloc, or the Liberals. Also, none of the opposition parties are levelling these allegations; they are coming from Elections Canada.
It is absolutely in the purview of this committee, and appropriate, that we look at this, and for that reason I will not support the amendment.
Then I would ask if we could move forward on the issue at hand.