Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Oct. 16th, 2018

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Mr. Graham.

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

It's similar to what we discussed a while ago. It seems a hopelessly impractical requirement, so I can't support it for that reason.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

We'll go to a vote on CPC-92.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Now, out of your new package of amendments, go to CPC reference number 9964802. CPC can present this amendment.

[Stephanie Kusie]

Chair, it's seven o'clock. It's been a long day. It seems longer still with the six amendments I see ahead.

What would you suggest we try to get through?

[David Graham, Liberal, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Can I suggest we try to get through clause 223 and call it a night then?

[Stephanie Kusie]

Okay.

This will establish political contribution limits for third parties that are consistent with those for political parties.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Mr. Nater.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Just to clarify as well, this is part of a series of amendments. It would then apply to several other ones. It is about bringing in similar rules for contributions as those governing political parties, for example in terms of amounts and how they're obtained. This one specifically deals just with the loan side of things, but there are other ones for contributions, so we need to look at this as a whole with all the other ones: 114.1, 115.1, 154, 161 and 169. If we defeat this one, we defeat all those as well.

I'm just making the point that if we want to bring this within the entire regime of political contributions that political parties have to comply with, there are multiple amendments that we need to do as one. If we vote against this one, they're all gone.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

If there is no further discussion, we'll vote on the new CPC-9964802.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

We're on amendment CPC-94.

Mr. Nater.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

This is a fun little amendment.

As luck would have it with this bill, if an election were to be called after June 30 but not on the fixed election date, for example, if it were to be held one week prior, the entire regime just disappears when it comes to third party pre-writ spending.

This amendment allows that the pre-writ period still exists and you have to follow the rules and report accordingly, even if the election isn't held on the fixed election date. If the Prime Minister decides to call the election any time before October 21, 2019 but after the pre-writ period happens, it allows the reporting regime to stay in place.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Could I get the election officials to comment on that, saying that there's no pre-writ or anything if the election is called not on the fixed election date?

[LCdr Jean-François Morin]

I don't disagree with you, but this motion would only apply on two occasions. It would apply if the government were to fall after a non-confidence motion in the House of Commons after the beginning of the pre-writ period, which would have been a very long minority government, or if the prime minister of the day were to convince the governor general to dissolve Parliament after the beginning of the pre-election period but before the beginning of the window between 50 days and 37 days before polling day, which would allow a polling day to occur on the day set in accordance with the act.

So, yes, if a prime minister were to recommend to the governor general that such an election be called earlier but after the beginning of the pre-writ period, this motion would allow the third party reporting regime to stand.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Mr. Nater.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

I just want to put on the record that there would be no convincing required to convince the governor general. The governor general accepts the advice of the prime minister of the day. There's no convincing the governor general of a Crown prerogative. I just want to put that on the record that the prime minister can request the dissolution of Parliament, and the governor general will.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Well, I would challenge that, but that's not what we're talking about.

I had an order here. Mr. Bittle and then Ms. May.

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

I appreciate the Conservatives bringing this forward. We're bringing forward amendments that relate to this topic, and two new reporting intervals for third party will apply in those amendments regardless of whether or not there's a fixed election date. We'll be opposed to this one, but in the same spirit, there will be further amendments to address the same issue.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

Ms. May.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

I guess that would address my concern. Even if it's an extremely rare possibility, there's no point leaving a gap in the legislation of something that we think is unlikely.

Legislation should work even in the most unlikely of circumstances. I'm not a voter on this committee, obviously, but as long as you're satisfied that what you're proposing deals with, as brilliantly explained by John, his fun little amendment. If your fun little amendment will do what his fun little amendment does, you're good.

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

I promise no fun.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

There's nothing precluding this amendment that we're aware of. If there is an amendment, we'll look at it.

[Elizabeth May, Green, Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC]

Otherwise I think we should wait. You guys should pass that one.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

We will vote on CPC-94.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

LIB-29 has passed because it was consequential to LIB-26. That also means CPC-95 and CPC-96 can't be moved, so we'll go to CPC-97.

[Stephanie Kusie]

This is for third parties. It's the Chief Electoral Officer's recommendation for an anti-circumvention provision concerning foreign contributions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Larry Bagnell]

People should know that the vote on this will apply to CPC-149, which is on page 276, as they are linked together by reference.

Is there discussion on CPC-97?

Mr. Nater.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Thank you, Chair.

Perhaps to our officials, LIB-30 is a similar amendment. Would you be able to identify what the key differences are between CPC-97 and LIB-30, just so we have an idea when we're voting on this one?