Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm saying this is an area that would benefit from clarification, because there is more and more representation to that effect, and at some point it's going to end up in court.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I can request that evidence of the candidates, yes, but not of the political parties. That is the current inconsistency in the act. I don't have the authority to ask a political party to produce documentary evidence in support of expenses identified in the election expenses retur

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It depends on what we find. Sometimes the item we want to verify is quite trivial. For example, if there is a calculation error, we will ask the party to review its figure. If, based on certain information or complaints we've received, we think there is something else, we will as

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As I indicated earlier in response to another question, there's a civil case where there's been an appeal by both parties. Those appeals will be heard in the Federal Court of Appeal at the end of November. As to the investigative matter, it is publicly known that the file is now

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As I have stated in previous reports and in my testimony, we are having more and more trouble recruiting staff. There are fewer and fewer people being referred by the candidates. In the last election, barely one third of election staff had been referred by candidates across Canad

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, exactly.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, and that's the reason we refer these people. We consulted the parties about this and they seemed to be pretty much in agreement.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Riding associations and political parties are permanent entities. They are able to get to work earlier than the candidates, who are often confirmed once the process is already well underway.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Well, it will depend on the service that is provided. First of all, if voters simply want to confirm that they are on the list, a name and address will suffice. We might also ask for the postal code. If someone wants to change his personal information—for example, if there has be

Procedure and House Affairs committee  That's why we are requesting some flexibility in that regard.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, it is secret information that we share with the voter.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  The current system only allows for an elector in the same polling division to vouch for another elector in the same polling division, and both have to swear an oath. We're proposing to allow an elector to vouch for all members of their family who live at the same address. So if a

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, I mean in your household. You could vouch for your wife and your children--whoever lives in your household and is a member of your family.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As far as family members, the voucher needs to provide documents to vouch. So if there is something suspicious we could certainly follow through afterwards. I would point out to the committee that this is being used in B.C. provincial elections and it hasn't raised any major co

Procedure and House Affairs committee  They have to take an oath.