Alexandrine Latendresse

[Democratic Reform, February 11th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, it would be nice if the minister had his facts straight. A student can vote only if the student card shows an address. Not all student cards show an address. I know that for a fact.

There is another problem with the new bill. Limiting the authority of the Chief Electoral Officer to communicate information to the public ensures that any research and surveys conducted to shed light on voter behaviour will be useless. This information can no longer be released. However, scientific data plays a truly important role in understanding voter behaviour and changing strategies to promote participation.

Can the Conservatives explain why they are opposed to research and surveys that shed light on voter behaviour?

[Democratic Reform, February 11th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately that is not all that is wrong with the Elections Act reform. In fact, 73% of the people who live in long-term care facilities used their voter cards as identification in the last election, and 62% of students did the same thing. However, the Minister of State for Democratic Reform would like to prevent people from using their voter cards to vote.

Why are the Conservatives trying to suppress the right to vote of sick people and students?

[Canadian Museum of History Act, June 17th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I will quote James Turk, executive director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, because I think his comments clearly show the gap between the Conservatives' current methods and what most people and experts in the area think.

If the government really wants to highlight Canada's history, it should restore funding for Library and Archives Canada and the administration of historic sites in Canada. Once it has done so, it can then envision creating a new museum with a mandate to ensure that the history it presents is untainted by political ideology.

I would like to know how my hon. colleague from Etobicoke—Lakeshore would respond to Mr. Turk's comments.

[Democratic Reform, June 17th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, 62 days ago, the Minister of State for Democratic Reform said, “Our government is pleased to announce that it will introduce comprehensive legislation on Thursday”.

Nine Thursdays have come and gone since that announcement, and still nothing. It is all well and good for the minister to say that he wants to do things properly, but election fraud legislation needs to be passed by early 2014 so that it can be enforced during the next election campaign.

When will the minister finally introduce his bill?

[Ethics, June 14th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, was any member of cabinet contacted by the RCMP during its investigation into Nigel Wright's $90,000 payment to Mike Duffy? Anyone? We are talking about a criminal investigation.

[Ethics, June 14th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, did the RCMP contact the Leader of the Government in the Senate as part of its criminal investigation of the $90,000 payment to Mike Duffy by Nigel Wright, the Prime Minister's former chief of staff?

[Democratic Reform, June 13th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, while the Conservatives avoid answering questions, the Minister of State for Democratic Reform avoids doing his job.

On Tuesday, April 16, 2013, which was 58 days ago, the Minister of State for Democratic Reform said, “our government is pleased to announce that it will introduce comprehensive legislation on Thursday”.

Could he tell us which Thursday he was referring to?

[Elections Canada, June 12th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the minister says they want to take the time to do things properly, but that is not good enough. The legislation has to be introduced soon if we want the rules to be in effect by the time the next election rolls around.

On Tuesday, April 16, 2013, 57 days ago, the Minister of State for Democratic Reform stated that, “our government is pleased to announce that it will introduce comprehensive legislation on Thursday”.

Eight Thursdays have passed since then. I am guessing that pigs will fly before we see even a hint of a bill.

Will the minister stop stalling, stop beating around the bush, and introduce a bill before the House rises for the summer?

[Elections Canada, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, they are taking Canadians for fools.

For some time now, the government has been promising to amend the Canada Elections Act, but so far nothing has been done. On Tuesday, April 16, the minister went so far as to state that: “...our government is pleased to announce that it will introduce comprehensive legislation on Thursday...”

When will they finally introduce amendments to the Canada Elections Act to deal with fraudulent calls?

[41st General Election, June 5th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, either the parliamentary secretary does not know the law or he is ignoring it because he believes his party is above the law.

It is extremely important that we report our election campaign expenses in detail. However, the members for Saint Boniface and Selkirk—Interlake are still hiding theirs. They believe that they have found a loophole in the law, as in the case of the in and out scheme, that will allow them to win out. However, there are no shortcuts in a democracy.

When will the Conservatives give Elections Canada the powers needed to prevent other violations of the Canada Elections Act?