To add to what Mr. Christopherson just said, the deadline in this letter is not a truthful deadline. It's inaccurate; it's not grounded in the truth.
Elections Canada officials have clearly indicated to us on two occasions now that legislation would be enacted by the spring of 2018. A deadline of July 15 is not required for that to happen. This is, potentially, at least, dishonest on the minister's part. At the very minimum, it is an insult. It's what referred to by people as a “PFO letter”. That's what it is.
It's telling this committee, “Ha, I fooled you.” We were told, “If you guys deal with these things that I think are the priorities, we promise that we'll be able to deal with the other issues that the committee sees as important. We'll take those into consideration too.” Now she's saying, “You just finished what I promised from your part of the bargain, but oh well, fooled you. Tough luck. Not happening now.”
That's what happened. I think the suggestion you made that we communicate.... But it needs to be communicated that we absolutely condemn what has happened. This committee is extremely disappointed in this situation. There needs to be a more appropriate deadline created that would allow this committee to finish its work and would allow that work to be considered. Now, I understand that can't be an indefinite timeline, because there is some point at which Elections Canada can't put these things in place, but it is not July 15. That is not the truth.
We therefore need a date. We need to demand a date be given that gives this committee the opportunity to have its input. What is being told to us is an insult and is not accurate.
That's what a motion from this committee needs to say.