moved for leave to introduce Bill C-320, an act to amend the Canada Elections Act (registration of political parties).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a private member's bill entitled an act to amend the Canada Elections Act.
The intention of the bill is threefold. First, this bill amends the Canada Elections Act to allow registration of a political party by the Chief Electoral Officer when the party nominates candidates in at least 12 electoral districts throughout the country. This is down from a present requirement of 50 electoral districts.
Under the present act, the Chief Electoral Officer must de-register a party that does not meet the conditions set out in subsection 28(2) of the act. Formerly, it was at the discretion of the Chief Electoral Officer to de-register a party that failed to meet these conditions.
Second, the bill removes the obligation placed on the chief agent of a political party to liquidate the assets of that party when it is deleted from the registry of political parties by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada.
Finally, the bill lowers the amount required for deposit with the returning officer at the same time the nomination papers are filed.
This bill has received widespread support throughout Canada. I would invite all members of this House to support this important democratic initiative.
(Motion deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)