Thank you very much.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'll start by saying that I think this is one of those difficult questions that come up in the context of a pandemic election about which I think reasonable people can disagree. I have tended to favour a three-day voting period, because I found some of the arguments, particularly by disability advocates, for the Monday voting quite compelling.
In light of the testimony yesterday from the Chief Electoral Officer about the serious logistical challenges that might represent, I think what we want to do is....
Particularly when we look at the Newfoundland and Labrador example, what really fell apart there, among other things, was the ability to staff those polling locations. Staffing three days is more difficult. Finding people who are able to work both on weekends and on weekdays is more difficult. Finding locations that would have the same availability on weekends and weekdays is more difficult. The administrative burden for Elections Canada really does seem to be a lot higher.
I noticed the adamance of the CEO. I had thought, perhaps, although he had given testimony like that earlier on in our pandemic election study, that he might have changed his mind by now, as they conduct their preparations for a potential election, but I see that he hasn't.
In light of that, I am prepared to support this amendment and the others in order to establish a two-day voting period, just in the pandemic context. I think if we have too high an administrative burden for Elections Canada, we will risk their not being able to deliver in the way that I know we all want them to deliver.
Thank you.