There are maybe a few points. The act requires the returning officers to go to the candidates who ranked first and second in the last GE to recommend personnel. The returning officer has to wait until 17 days before election day to get those names from candidates.
The reality is that over a few election cycles now, the number of referrals by candidates have been declining significantly. In fact, nationally, barely one-third of the electoral workers are identified by candidates, and in some parts of the country there are none at all. That significantly impedes a returning officer from starting recruitment much earlier and then providing the proper training in a timely manner.
The situation we face right now is that the recruitment is done at the last minute—two weeks before election day—and suddenly a returning officer who has to recruit about 800 workers needs to train them during that period. Again, during that period—I'm saying 17 days, but there are only seven days before advance polls, so within a week—they have to identify all the workers they need for advance polls, train them, ensure that they are qualified, and then assign them to polling stations in the various districts. It's a daunting task for them, and it's an issue or a situation that continues, with poor compliance with basic procedures at the poll.
I think Mr. Neufeld recommended changing that, and I'm coming back to this committee today saying that it's time we get rid of that rule.
That being said, candidates and parties can always direct people to our website recruitment tool, and their referrals would certainly be considered by a returning officer.