Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I certainly agree with the idea that there is merit in making it clear that the voter information card is not a piece of identification for the purposes of voting, but I don't think it's necessary to say it in the legislation. The reason I say this is that we did a little search last night, and we were able to find a copy of a voter information card. It actually says that on the voter information card already.
In fact, I have an illustration of one right now for the federal Canadian election of Monday, January 23, 2006. This is not the most recent one, but the point is that it's existed in the past without the need for a legislative requirement.
The card says: “If your name and address appear on this card, you are registered to vote. Keep this card. It will give you quicker access to your polling station.” Then below that—all in caps, I might add—it says, “This is not an identification document.”
In my opinion, there is no necessity for legislation. It already exists. I would just encourage the Chief Electoral Officer to return to the practice he had used in 2006. He may have used it in other elections subsequently; I don't know. The card I have at my disposal is the one from 2006.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.