Evidence of meeting #125 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.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Larry Bagnell
Right now you could start with one person, and this amendment is suggesting you need two. Is that the guts of the amendment?
5:30 p.m.
NDP
5:30 p.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
5:30 p.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
You've probably answered the question, so forgive me, but I need clarity. If the language were fixed so that it made sense the way you were looking at it, are you in favour of it or not? Provide an argument.
5:30 p.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
I'm only here to give technical information to the committee, of course, so I wouldn't tell you if I'm in favour of it or not.
5:30 p.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
Those are policy discussions.
5:30 p.m.
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Regulatory Affairs, Elections Canada
No, I'm not going to tell you whether I'm in favour of it or not. It's something we could administer, so we don't object to it.
5:30 p.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
That's what I wanted to hear, whether it's a problem. Is it duplicating things? We'll do the voting. I have the hands, but I'm looking for the brains.
You're okay with it if the language is fixed and it's consistent with everything else. Is that what I'm hearing?
5:30 p.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Thank you.
If we cleaned up the language, they would be supportive, in which case I have no reason to oppose it. We'd be in favour if it's cleaned up.
5:30 p.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
Mr. Christopherson, maybe you missed that part of the meeting, but we are representatives of the Privy Council Office. They are from Elections Canada.
5:30 p.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Yes. I realized that there was a line there that I didn't quite see.
5:30 p.m.
Voices
Oh, oh!
5:30 p.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
That's why I immediately jumped over to Anne, who has a little more latitude to express opinions.
5:30 p.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
So I—
5:30 p.m.
NDP
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
You're being very wise. I don't want to hear your opinion. I do want to hear hers.
5:30 p.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
I will let Elections Canada make their comments, but we're—
5:30 p.m.
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Regulatory Affairs, Elections Canada
Just to be clear, my only views are about the administration of the act, not about my personal preference in favour of an amendment or not.
5:30 p.m.
LCdr Jean-François Morin
I was just going to say that if the committee wants to agree to this motion, then yes, there is a mistake that would need to be corrected, but I don't have a specific view on the outcome of this motion.