Evidence of meeting #15 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was returns.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
So then, the elections would be in October 2012.
12:20 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
That is correct.
12:20 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
It would be the third Monday of October.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Thank you.
I'd like to come back to the Supplementary Estimates, more specifically to line 1. Listed under “Expenses of Elections“ is an amount totalling $87,315,500.
Does that represent the cost of the last election?
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
I don't understand. I've always heard that it cost $250 million or more to hold an election.
12:20 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
The cost of last October's general election is pegged at $280 million.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
So then, the figure of $87 million...
12:20 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
I don't have the same...
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Just a moment. I'd like to have everyone's attention. It seems I have to chair the meeting!
What does this figure of $87 million refer to?
12:20 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
I do not have the same document as you.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
I have a copy of The Supplementary Estimates (A).
12:20 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
I'm working from the Main Estimates for 2009-2010.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
I'm looking at the Supplementary Estimates (A). It is possible that you will ask Treasury Board for an additional $87 million to finance the cost of an election. What exactly will these $87 million be used for?
12:20 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
This amount of $87,316,000 is included in the Main Estimates for the Year 2009-2010.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
12:20 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
When the budget is drawn up, we don't speculate on possible elections, whether general elections or by-elections. We prepare our budget regardless of whether an election is scheduled or not. If an election is called during the year, for example, if the call comes in September for an October election, an election budget is drawn up and included in the supplementary estimates or in final government accounts. That is where you will find the $280 million figure.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Fine then. Without getting into the details, can you tell me what the $87 million earmarked for election expenses will be used for?
12:20 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
The money will be used to prepare for the elections, for political financing, for compliance activities, and so forth.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
I have another question. According to the next line, the salary of the Chief Electoral Officer is $265,300.
Is that just your salary? The salaries of Members of Parliament are public and cannot be negotiated on the side. Is this your actual salary or does this figure include something else?
12:20 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
No, it is the salary for the position as determined by the Canada Elections Act.
12:20 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
Are you entitled to other benefits in addition to your salary of $265,300? You were hired by the House and I do not know with whom you negotiated your working conditions. However, did you negotiate other benefits in addition to your salary?
12:25 p.m.
Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer
No. The salary for the position is fixed in the legislation. In fact, if memory serves me well, it corresponds to the salary paid to a Federal Court judge. There are no other financial conditions associated with the position.
12:25 p.m.
Bloc
Michel Guimond Bloc Montmorency—Charlevoix—Haute-Côte-Nord, QC
I see. So you do not receive any additional benefits.
Mr. Chair, I would like to conclude by thanking or rather congratulating the witness.
When you appeared before the committee, you stated—and you repeated it when we visited your offices—that we would be receiving phone calls from our returning officers to update us on the location of polling stations.
I don't know if the meeting has already taken place, but in March, as I recall, our returning office contacted all of the parties in my riding. Our meeting at least has been scheduled.
I would like to thank you. That proves that preparations are being made for the election. It also shows you appreciate that the polling stations used for the last election were clearly adequate and that you are always mindful of ensuring that it is convenient for people to vote. Naturally, every effort should be made to make it easier for people to vote, but in reality, it is not always that simple. I want to thank you, because efforts are indeed being made in that regard.