No, no. If the ruling party or second party in the previous election puts forward a candidate, the returning officer is required to appoint that person. That is the problem. That comes very late. They don't have time to train them fully. Plus, they could have partisan bias. I agree with Mr. Lortie, it doesn't mean they will; it could still be merit-based, with a qualified person. But the returning officer should not be forced to appoint them.
On April 8th, 2014. See this statement in context.