Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Minister.
Mr. Sutherland, our officials and Ms. Paquet, thank you for joining us this morning to talk about protecting our democracy.
Since the minister has mentioned how to protect electors, election workers, candidates and all Canadians should there be an election, I am going to ask a few questions.
We have had a discussion about the regional nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing number of cases, and how to protect the health and safety of all involved: for example, having infection prevention and control experts; guidance to political parties; a review of party pandemic plans; cleaning, masking and social distancing at polling stations; infection audits during the election; a greater number of polling stations; more hours at polling stations; and a mock-up of polling stations before their implementation. These are jut a few of the ideas.
I'd like to ask Minister LeBlanc, does he have any ideas he would like to share now about protecting the health and safety of Canadians should there be an election during the pandemic?