Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Welcome, Mr. Mayrand, Ms. Davidson, Mr. Perrault and Mr. Molnar. It is most kind of you to have come here to meet with us this morning to discuss Bill C-6.
Mr. Mayrand, you have been subjected to an avalanche of criticism by the government because of the position you took with regard to the interpretation of the act. Following this pronouncement, the government wished to save face. Your position with regard to the presumably illegal expenses of the Conservative government during the last election has not helped get your name added to the list of people that the government has a good opinion of.
What is your view of the changes made to Bill C-6 and how do they compare with what existed previously? I would also like to know if you have obtained from your legal advisors opinions or interpretations relating to the Charter of Rights? Under Bill C-6, you would be required to verify people's identity visually. It is you who, through your representatives and contract staff, among others, would be required to carry out this verification.
Do you believe you will be able to fulfil this obligation comfortably or will it be yet another source of tension between Elections Canada and the Conservative government, as was the case when you spoke out about its potentially fraudulent expenses?