Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I have with me Mrs. Diane Davidson, deputy chief electoral officer and chief legal counsel, also responsible for regulatory affairs; Mr. Stéphane Perrault, who's our senior general counsel; and Mr. Rennie Molnar, who is the associate deputy chief electoral officer, responsible for electoral events.
I'm here this morning to discuss Bill C-6, which concerns the visual identification of voters. Bill C-6 requires that electors have their faces uncovered when providing identification at an ordinary or advance polling station. This rule will also apply to electors who go to the office of a returning officer to obtain their special ballots.
I do not anticipate any difficulty in implementing the bill, as drafted, upon its royal assent. It provides the authority and flexibility necessary to ensure the good administration of the Canada Elections Act.
The bill raises only one technical issue: Clause 4 restricts the delegation of powers and duties by deputy returning officers and poll clerks to additional staff. This excludes the election officers already present at the polling site.
It would seam appropriate to authorize deputy returning officers and poll clerks to delegate their powers and duties to any election officer present at the polling site. This would allow a more efficient use of resources.
Moreover, it would be preferable to permit such delegation not only at polling stations, as currently provided for in the bill, but also at advance polling stations.
I have brought with me a technical paper containing the changes I am proposing to the wording of Clause 4 of the bill.
My colleagues and I would be pleased to answer your questions concerning the bill.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.