Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  In a sense, it's a policy choice, and there has to be consideration of the limitations that are set out by the Constitution. I'm not sure I can comment further on this aspect; I think it's a matter for discussion among parliamentarians. We will simply undertake the task of admini

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  They can certainly share information.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  I mentioned a few in my earlier presentation. I think the first thing would be to prohibit someone from being a candidate both as a Senate nominee and as a House of Commons member. Also, maybe there should be consideration given to prohibiting a candidate for the House from regi

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  You can rest assured that we will do whatever is necessary to prevent things from going off the rails. That is precisely the reason why I am insisting on more time to implement these systems. The technologies obviously exist; we don't have to re-invent the wheel. But these techno

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Are you referring to the STV system? Other than the technology, there will be a need to train staff, develop information programs, deliver information programs to staff, and develop public awareness programs that will be required to inform the voters. All of that represents a con

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  I do not think, either that it will take a year, or that we could retain the attention of the voters for such a long period of time, but I do think there has to be a solid public information and awareness campaign aimed at the voters, because there is likely to be some confusion

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Throughout my presentation, I tried to suggest possible solutions. One of the solutions I suggested in my presentation involved the possibility of delegating the selection process or appointment consultations process to the provinces. Indeed, Alberta already has experience with i

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  They would be subject to the same limits as a third party wishing to do advertising during an election campaign. It's based on the province, and the limit is adjusted for the province as a whole. It's based on the voters, the area and the number of places involved. There is only

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  At least three years.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Yes, no pilot project is possible in this case. So, there is no risk of error; that risk must be kept to a minimum.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  There are always differences, and the Canadian system will have to reflect that. That is why a timeline is important and the testing of these new systems is critical to ensure the success of a consultation.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Scotland uses the single transferable vote system. Australia, which probably has the best known system, and one that applies nationally, to the Senate, as well as at the State level, has had quite a lot of experience with it. There may also be Belgium, but I don't want to mislead

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Yes, we sent IT experts over there to have a look at their system. Also, I hosted my counterpart from Australia last fall. We try to find opportunities such as that in order to learn from each other with respect to the kinds of challenges we're facing.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Madam Chair, with your permission, I would just like to clarify an answer I gave Mr. Paquette earlier. I most certainly misled him when I stated earlier that the broadcast rules would apply. I am told that they do not apply. So, in terms of debates or air time, the rules set out

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Only in Quebec do there seem to be Senate districts. In all the other provinces, they do not exist. Candidates run for the province as a whole. And, from what I understood of the bill, even in Quebec, the election or consultation to appoint senators will be province-wide. Under t