Procedure and House Affairs committee  Sometimes data on people are provided to us from various sources, and these data are not incorporated in the register of electors. We share our lists with provincial authorities more than we receive the provincial lists, because there are very few provincial lists in this country that are permanent.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Okay. Do you wish that I answer that?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  There's a need for an audit at the candidate level in order to ensure that candidates benefit from professional advice. The system has always required that a professional auditor be responsible for the contents, and there are legal repercussions on both sides. What my office does is verify that we received all the documentation that goes with those statements.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  For the time being, I believe so. There is no evidence to the contrary. Here, we are dealing with a population of 80,000 students, 30-storey apartment buildings and an immigrant population. There is always at least one riding that does not fall within the norm.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Chairman, I proposed a wide range of measures to prevent fraud. They will need to be studied in great depth. In the riding of Trinity—Spadina, the number of people who registered to vote on voting day was slightly less than 10,000. That is a large number, but this is a riding that, alone, is affected by nearly all the factors of change.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  You argue the case extremely well. I would advise that you continue the debate with those party leaders who invite the media to come along. I will certainly be doing so at the next election. I tried to bring up the matter at the last election, but it did not produce the desired results.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It is a matter of determining what should be the deciding factor for taking legal action against the media. Given that the committee is studying the subject, I think it should be weighed carefully and directives should be issued. We already issue directives to the media on filming events in polling stations.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Essentially, Mr. Chairman, the responsibility lies with the deputy returning officer. The returning officer is usually in his office.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  They try, but...

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I do not know. Your question leads me to think that in future, I should make sure that deputy returning officers are particularly well trained on the requirements of the act and that they are ready to kick the media out the door. It is as simple as that. With the committee's permission, that is what I shall do.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I will do that. Consider it done.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The term applies to both scenarios.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I am going to start by answering your first question on photographing party leaders. The current act allows for photos to be taken as long as photographers remain outside of the polling station. Only those who work for the polling station are allowed inside, and this is to ensure that the process runs smoothly and that voters are not disturbed.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  We have to endeavour to have returning officers who respect directives issued by the Chief Electoral Officer. That is a perfectly achievable goal. In fact, it is one of the basic premises of Bill C-2. Mr. Guimond, as you are partially responsible, you know that is where the solutions lies.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, not at all.