Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair, I really appreciate that. I have a quick question about special ballots, the mail-in ballots. I'm wondering how the return rate for 2021 was compared to previous elections. My riding was number five in the top 10, with many folks from B.C., as you can see in the graphs we got.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I was really impacted by the questions posed by Mr. Vis. I had an opportunity to drive through parts of his riding during the forest fires, and the impact that it had on that area was quite shocking. That leads me to the question I would like to ask. Is Elections Canada actually starting to explore how to adapt to the impacts of climate change?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madame Chair. Through you, I would like to ask the witnesses a bit more about indigenous participation. In the write-up we have here, there is mention of the first nations electors in Kenora, Ontario, but I know that many indigenous communities had no way to vote, for example, first nations on reserve.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I really appreciate the witness's answer. Another question is specifically around rural and remote communities. I didn't see a lot of information in the report that addressed that specifically. As a member of Parliament, I represents a larger riding in British Columbia with a lot of small communities in some very remote locations.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair, and of course as always through you, I would like to ask several questions. First of all, I thank our witnesses for being here today. My first question is around student participation. In the last election, there was no voting on campus. I heard a lot of frustration about that across my region and into other regions.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  On a point of order, I need to hear what the witness is saying, and people in this room are speaking. I'll leave that to you, Madam Chair. I know you're not here to monitor that, but that is happening. Hopefully the witness can continue.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you so much for that testimony. I'll go to Dr. Stone now. One thing we are getting some recommendations from our current commissioner on is identifying clearly what “friends and family” means, and of course the work that parliamentarians may take outside of the role. There are two things on that.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  My last question for you, Dr. Stone, is around the reality that there are gifts given, but there is a particular nuance, especially for some ethnic communities. How is that recognized in the work that you do?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Of course, as always through you, I would like to ask the witnesses questions and thank them all for their time. I really appreciate it. Mr. Conacher, you talked a lot about huge loopholes, and you gave us one brief example. You also indicated that you're going to be getting us some information soon.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I wonder if I could ask Mr. Fogel to just talk about the long-term impacts to his organization of not being able to have this program running. I understand that there used to be a stipend that was included, so I think that's another part that's important to talk about, as well as the accessibility of these types of internships for members of our country—young people who may not have access to the resources to be able to participate.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you for that, Dr. Dance. Dr. Thomas, I really appreciate the work you did in recognizing that there is no registry of intern programs and those pathways. I understand the commissioner is trying to measure outcomes from each office, and I agree we should not be calling brilliant young people “gifts”.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. Through you, I want to thank all the witnesses for being here. I deeply apologize that the way we structured ourselves meant you didn't get to read out your statements. It is important, even if we can read them. I'm really fascinated by this discussion, and I'm going to come first to Dr.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to thank all of the witnesses today for their interesting presentations. There was some discussion earlier about recommendations and guidelines based on previous investigations or reflections. I'm just wondering, at the beginning of each of your parliaments or legislatures, does it get deleted?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm waiting for the microphone to turn on, Madam Chair. You told me not to touch it. I am respecting that rule, which means I will pause. Thank you, Madam Chair, for checking that out with me. I appreciate the folks who push the button that allows me to speak. My next question is with regard to outside work and remuneration.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. It's good that we're always generous with kind words. I have a couple more questions and they're more around clarity. There is a section of the report we've received today, Madam Chair, that talks about how to deal with a member who is no longer a member at the time the report is considered.