Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Liberal member for Ahuntsic rose in the House on a speech that I had given with regard to changes to the Elections Act. I would like to read into the record exactly what I said so that she clearly understands it. The first sentence reads:
In the member's last presentation, he spoke about how even current presidents of Liberal riding associations have actually been appointed to be the returning officers in their ridings.
The second sentence reads:
He listed specifically the riding of Ahuntsic, where the returning officer was the president of the Liberal riding association.
The third sentence reads:
If that is not a spurious and strange conflict of interest, I do not know what is.
The first sentence, which is what the Bloc member said about current presidents of Liberal riding associations being appointed, is true.
The second sentence, in which he specifically mentioned the riding of Ahuntsic where the returning officer was the president of the Liberal riding association, is also true.
The third sentence, which is where I said that it was a spurious and I believe strange conflict of interest, is a matter of debate.
I think the hon. member's issue was that the person who was appointed was indeed a former president. My second sentence stated that. She has taken umbrage with the idea that he was not the current sitting president.
Mr. Speaker, if you read the record, you will find that it is a matter of debate.