Evidence of meeting #124 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was election.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:50 a.m.
A voice
Is there any discrepancy?
11:50 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Yes, the difference here is that this would specify the advance polling number as apart from just the polling number.
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
We voted on the Liberal one that said that on the regular poll day, the election officer has to make sure he writes the polling division on the ballot, and this is suggesting the same thing on the advance poll.
Is there any further discussion?
(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])
CPC-50 was consequential to CPC-49.
(Clause 122 as amended agreed to on division)
There was a new clause 122.1 in CPC-51, but it was defeated consequential to CPC-49.
We're going on to clause 123.
NDP-14 was defeated with NDP-1.
Shall clause 123 carry?
(Clause 123 agreed to on division)
There was a new clause 123.1 in LIB-17, but it's withdrawn because LIB-1 passed.
There are no amendments to clauses 124 to 142.
Shall clauses 124 to 142 carry?
(Clauses 124 to 142 inclusive agreed to)
(On clause 143)
11:50 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
We're going on to clause 143, and we will discuss CPC-52, which again is the voter registration card, so we could probably just vote on this.
Shall CPC-52 carry?
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 143 agreed to on division)
There are no amendments to clauses 144 to 150.
Shall clauses 144 to 150 carry?
11:50 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Clauses 144 to 148 can carry, and clause 149 can carry on division, please.
(Clauses 144 to 148 inclusive agreed to)
(Clause 149 agreed to on division)
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
It carries on division.
(Clause 150 agreed to on division)
(On clause 151)
We move on to clause 151. We're getting into foreign voters. Once again, there are a number of similar amendments related to a person returning to Canada, etc. Once we discuss this, hopefully we can apply that concept, the result of what we decide.
CPC-53 adds wording that these foreign electors reside “temporarily” outside of Canada, but, as you know, in the proposal in the bill, it doesn't have to be temporarily. There's no requirement for them to come back.
We kind of know where everyone stands on this, but, Mrs. Kusie, do you want to make any comments?
11:55 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Sure, I will.
I'm sorry; what was the clause again, please?
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
It's CPC-53, and it's just saying that the elector resides “temporarily” out of Canada.
11:55 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Yes, sorry, but what is the clause? I apologize. I'm just trying to get to the right one.
11:55 a.m.
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Clearly we, the official opposition, want to revert to the status quo, which is a five-year maximum departure from Canada and an intention to return to Canada.
Again, we're very much committed to ensuring the legitimacy of the electorate, and we're concerned that the clause as it exists does not do so, so with that, we would like to see it revert to the status quo.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Thank you, Chair.
To get some clarity from the officials, do you have any indication of how many potential electors could be added to the voter rolls based on Bill C-76? How many Canadians currently living abroad could be added, based on this change?
11:55 a.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
The minister mentioned this in her opening notes yesterday, and the Chief Electoral Officer mentioned it when he appeared. There is an estimation that about one million electors could regain a right to vote under this provision.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Just as a follow-up, are you aware if there are other Commonwealth countries that have similar prohibitions on a requirement to return back to their country within a certain number of years? Are you aware of any other Commonwealth countries that have the requirement to return?
11:55 a.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
There are various delays. I think that the United Kingdom has a 15-year time frame.
11:55 a.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Then there is somewhere where there is a requirement to return.
11:55 a.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
Absolutely.
11:55 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Is there any further discussion?
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 151 agreed to on division)
(On clause 152)
We're on CPC-54, which is the same thing about residing outside of Canada and an intent to return Canada, and the vote on CPC-54 will apply to CPC-57 on page 99.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We are on CPC-55. As we discuss this, it's the same thing—returning to Canada—but this also applies to CPC-58.
Noon
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Yes, this is the same consolation prize again. We're trying to instill other safeguards in regard to non-resident electors. This is maintaining the removal of the existing five-year requirement, but requiring the intention to return to Canada.
Noon
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Okay, so a vote on CPC-55 applies to CPC-58, which is on page 100, and CPC-60, which is on page 102, because they are related by concept of residence in Canada.
(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 152 agreed to on division)
(On clause 153)
We go on to clause 153. We will go on to CPC-56, which would require that foreign voters have proof of the elector's Canadian citizenship, which they don't have to do under the presently proposed regime.
Do you want to present this amendment?
Noon
Calgary Midnapore, CPC
Sure. If that was the consolation prize, this is the prize you get for playing.
