From the outset, Sunday is a problem for me. People could raise religious considerations, but it goes much farther than that. In fact, allowing stores to be open on Sundays has already messed up our weekends.
At the end of the week, people who have a pay cheque only have a certain amount to spend. Now, families have lost their weekends. They no longer exist. I'm afraid that Elections Canada will be causing people who need rest to lose even more of their weekends. That is why weekends exist. That is the comment I wanted to make. There is no respect for Sundays and weekends. Everyone wants to take them over and make people work. Our society is lacking that. It is as if we have to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There's no more room for rest. At the outset, it is not a good idea.
Having said that, I do have a suggestion to make. Of course, it would be up to us to do it, since we are the legislators. You say you are looking for people. Many people could help Elections Canada, but they cannot do so because of the regulations. For example, people who are receiving employment insurance could volunteer. At home, we have the highest unemployment rate in Canada. Many people could work, but because they have to declare their income, at the end of the week, they will have lost more money than they have earned. A large number of people could help throughout Canada. Since this is about working for the country, perhaps an exception could be made in that specific circumstance. In the case of Elections Canada, it could be excluded as income under employment insurance. That could be a future recommendation. It would be a lot easier to find people. People know how to count. If they calculate that they will have lost money by the end of the week, they will not even consider it worthwhile to go.
As regards the churches, your comments are very accurate. Some rural regions no longer have community centres. They have closed. The church is the only place available. That will become a problem. I would like to hear you elaborate a little more on that.
Moreover, you suggested that the office of the returning officer or even the deputy returning officer keep the ballot boxes. I have a problem with entrusting the ballots to one person. It is a huge responsibility. That could lend itself to controversy and cause squabbling. We would have to be careful so that it did not turn into a circus.