Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Pickering—Uxbridge for this very thoughtful question. I am pleased that today in this House we introduced Bill C-33. This bill is intended to repeal the unfair elements of the Fair Elections Act. We are going to remove unnecessar

Canada Elections Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-33, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)

Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, we listened to Canadians when we proposed the special committee to go out and hear from Canadians. We listened to Canadians and the members of the House when we changed the composition of that committee so the majority would be with the opposition. We will listen to

Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows full well that we have been committed to this file since we began our mandate. The member opposite knows full well that there is a committee in place right now deliberating the outcomes that it would like to present to the House. The member

Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege for me to stand here on traditional Algonquin land. I want to thank the members of the committee who have worked so hard and so diligently to hear from Canadians, and have worked together to provide the House with a report. I look forward to

Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member opposite for his commitment to this file and I want to thank him for bringing up something that we have been working on for months. We want to find as many ways as possible to hear from as many Canadians as possible on the topic of electo

Democratic Reform  Madam Speaker, it is a great privilege to be here on this traditional Algonquin territory. As a government, we are firmly committed to enhancing Canadians' participation in our democratic institutions. We believe that more Canadians ought to be able to vote. We are currently ex

Democratic Reform  Madam Speaker, it is always great when the member opposite and I agree. We have heard from the 1.2 million Canadians who live abroad and wish to be part of our democratic institutions and participate in the voting process. As I mentioned, we are currently examining legislation to

Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the opportunity to stand to speak in my capacity as member of Parliament for the beautiful riding of Peterborough—Kawartha where, unlike the member opposite, I hosted not one, not two, not three, but seven town halls: two in Peterborough,

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleagues on the opposite side of the bench for their commitment to gender parity, for ensuring that we bring not only more women to participate as candidates but allow them to win and actually come to this place, and once they get here, allow them t

Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, it is October 20. On December 1, the special all-party committee empowered to study this very matter will report its recommendations on electoral reform. We have been very clear all along about the respect we have for the independence of this committee. We have been

Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his commitment to this file and for the work he is doing on the special all-party committee on electoral reform. This Prime Minister has, and is, honouring his commitment. We brought together a committee, made up of all parties, to hear

Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege to rise in this House representing the people of Peterborough—Kawartha as the Minister of Democratic Institutions. Happy one year anniversary to you, Mr. Speaker, and to all of my colleagues in this place. To address the member's question,

Democratic Reform  Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for allowing his constituents to be part of a survey. More important, I thank the majority of members in this House who brought their constituents together to hear from one another the diverse range of perspectives that are required to make

Status of Women  Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his commitment. It is truly due to the work of individuals who have come before us that persons like me can have an opportunity to not just participate but to create laws in this place. Our government has shown action on gender parity. We