On the first issue of the Internet registration and verification of information, I draw the attention of the committee members to page 28.
Both Alberta and British Columbia already offer electors the option to register online, as well as to verify and update registration information. Quebec currently is going through a system whereby you can update your information online during an election. Elections Ontario is currently investigating or developing online voter registration. I think the provinces, by and large, are leading the way.
I would also suggest, to answer your question specifically, that the fear of fraud is something that I think the private sector has also driven some good paths on. A number of years ago when the issue of online shopping and consumer identification came up, there obviously were some concerns. But I think today you would see a lot more confidence in the private sector about online verification of information of individuals for acquiring consumer goods or services.
It's a 21st century population out there. We're using online means to do everything, particularly the younger generations. I know it's a cliché, but it's very true. Also, I note, more and more seniors are online. This institution has to catch up with where the voters are.
If we are concerned about voter turnout or worried about disenfranchisement, particularly among vulnerable communities, whether of new Canadians who are new to the system, first nation and aboriginal Canadians on reserve, or folks who don't have necessarily access to the information on how to vote on an ongoing basis for a variety of reasons, we need to expand the opportunity for them to sign up online.
As for the issue of vouching, I certainly spent a portion of my remarks today on the issue. I don't believe, from our work in the last number of campaigns, that the biggest issue is that family members can't do more than one individual. We have some big concerns with identification, particularly among homeless individuals, as well as in first nation communities. What is being allowed for ID? Is it being recognized uniformly across the system? The notion that it's just my sister who can't vote, or my brother, or my wife because she doesn't have a driver's licence and I do.... I don't think this is going to address the issue.
As for leadership loans, well of course we want the system to be accessible in all political parties. Each political party will assess their ceiling, and their own private ceilings, obviously, in conforming with the Elections Canada Act. The issue is whether or not the loan, after a certain period, constitutes an unfair or illegal contribution.
If it does, then we need teeth, because right now all we're doing is asking individuals—seven individuals, in the case of the Liberal Party. They go to the courts to seek relief and say that they have a game plan. But some of these folks owe over $300,000, and I think that the Elections Canada rules either mean something or they don't. We either lift the burden altogether or we give the Chief Electoral Officer some teeth to go after individuals who are in contravention of the law.