Procedure and House Affairs committee  My apologies.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Good morning. Thank you so much for inviting me to the committee. I'm very happy to be here. I'll make a brief opening statement if I can, just to situate myself in the conversation. As you know, the Parliament of Canada was prorogued from August 18 until September 23, 2020, and in accordance with section 32(7) of the Standing Orders of the House of Commons, the government must provide a report to Parliament outlining the reasons for prorogation.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  This witness is really enjoying it.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm more concerned with potential inaccuracies, but I think there's also a concern overall with micro-targeted messaging. I think historically in Canada, political parties, particularly successful ones, have played a nation-building role and have provided messages and ideologies, perspectives that you sort of put it out there and people unite around it and seek commonality.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It was the vouching and—

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It's important to the extent that it increases accessibility and ensures that voters are able to participate. It provides an opportunity for people who want to vote and who are legitimate voters to vote. In that way, I think it serves an important purpose.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I would concur. It seems illogical for there to be that difference.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes. There are two major answers that I'd give for that. One is that to be able to make contributions is a fundamental part of political expression. This is why I'm particularly in favour of making sure that only individuals can make contributions. I think it's an extension of our activity as individuals and as people who participate in a democratic society.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  They would only be able to take election contributions from individuals at the same maximum that applies to parties, put them in their election account, and that's what you have.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, you can't—exactly.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  —yes, you can't start dividing it up. That would be impossible. Returning to Mr. Richard's question, if we did regulate contributions all the time, and you have your roughly maximum $1,700 a year and that goes into your election advertising account, and you don't have organizations donate, that would be a way of making sure, I think, that you don't have commingling.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's exactly right.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes.