Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Bildfell, you talked about electoral integrity in a general sense. I want to go into more detail on subsections 243.01(1) and 243.01(2) of the Canada Elections Act. I am paraphrasing, but the act states that a person who needs help can be accompanied into the voting compartment by a friend or their spouse or common-law partner, for example, to help them mark their ballot. The act then specifies that the person accompanying the voter has to make a solemn declaration that they will not, for instance, disclose the result of the person's vote or, obviously, try to influence the person's vote.
Bill C‑65 proposes to amend both of these subsections. Proposed subsection 243.01(1) states that the voter can be accompanied simply by “a person” and not necessarily by someone they trust. Subsection 243.01(2) would be repealed. The person accompanying the voter would no longer need to make a declaration.
What do you think of these amendments? Are they desirable? Could they jeopardize the validity or the neutrality of the electoral process or the integrity of the person's vote?