Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Yes.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Yes. We sent observers to Australia, which had an election last fall and is using that system for their Senate. We also had two observation missions to Scotland, which was just introducing the system. We're definitely looking at how other electoral bodies around the world are adm

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  No, it's doable. My only concern is that I don't think it's doable in two years. But it's doable. It exists, and apparently it works satisfactorily for many countries.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Yes, and that period could be longer under other pieces of legislation. Another bill could set a term of eight years. As I understand it, Senate appointment consultations could only occur during a general, provincial or federal election. As I already stated, there could be certai

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Exactly, it could not occur during by-elections.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  It would be possible for a party to register as a third party, within the meaning of the Canada Elections Act and the Senate appointments legislation, for the purposes of funding or carrying out advertising related to a consultation campaign.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  You are correct when you say that there is no spending limit. I think one of the problems candidates may face is more likely to be with respect to funding their expenses. Because they are not allowed to receive funds if they are affiliated with a party—if they are independent, th

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  We do, and we're always looking for further collaboration.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  I spoke briefly with some of my colleagues. Generally, their sense is that they would need legislative authority from the province. The second thing that would be challenging is that we have different rules for voting at the federal and provincial levels. Residential rules vary.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  I understand the intent of helping all candidates. I think it's a matter of a level playing field, in some regard, ensuring that all candidates have the opportunity to share their message with all electors. My concern is with regard to the responsibility of Elections Canada. My s

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  From what I understand, that is correct. The Prime Minister is not bound by the choices made by the voters in the consultation.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  There is no legal obligation for the Prime Minister—at least, no legally defined obligation set out in the legislation, as currently worded. It is obvious—and I understand this—that for constitutional reasons, no such obligation is identified in the legislation, but I think one c

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  For the STV it's three years. We would need three years from royal assent.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  The firm did not look at that. I'm pointing out that what's being proposed is a transitional system that would be in place for a year, before the end of the second year, between year one and year two, with no certainty that a consultation would occur. The question arises as to

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  That's one option we would consider. I think the act is flexible enough to allow either human data entry or ballots that are scanned.