Mr. Chair, again, we're still in the clause on page 6. This time we're into 16.2:
The Chief Electoral Officer may decline to issue an opinion when the matter is being considered by the Commissioner or by the courts or when, in the opinion of the Chief Electoral Officer, the matter is frivolous.
This is to increase the latitude the Chief Electoral Officer has to issue an opinion when faced with requests and timelines. There are certain circumstances in which the Chief Electoral Officer has suggested he would like and in the future he or she would want as an officer the ability to say it's inappropriate at the moment for him to issue such an opinion either because it's essentially before the courts or under investigation, or in another circumstance when the Chief Electoral Officer considers the matter to be frivolous.
We think this is an improvement to the bill. We appreciate the consideration of the members of the committee.