Procedure and House Affairs committee  I do not think so. I would refer you to the bill on page 26, line 11, in English. I think that the new proposed subparagraph 56(e.1) would provide for what you are trying to achieve here.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It says that no one can knowingly use personal information that is obtained from the Register of Future Electors except as follows: (i) for the purposes of updating the Register of Electors, (ii) for the purposes of the transmission of information in the course of public

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I would only comment that section 45 already provides the information that the Chief Electoral Officer is allowed to provide to the parties, and in administrative law, if a governing body is not given a specific power, it basically cannot do what is not specifically allowed.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Well, it would certainly add clarity, but I think it's already quite clear that the Chief Electoral Officer cannot provide that data to registered parties.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Sorry?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Provide how it is not clear? Sorry; could you repeat that?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I'm just saying that it would provide a very special situation in which a power is denied to the Chief Electoral Officer. That would be very uncommon in the act. Yes, it would say that he or she cannot provide that information, but I think the act is already quite clear that he o

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, actually I don't think it's already covered. The act is currently pretty broad on the agreements with the provincial chief electoral officers that Elections Canada can enter into, so such an amendment would make it clearer that the standards that apply at the federal level sh

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, there is a provision in the bill that allows Elections Canada to enter into agreements with provincial bodies that manage a list of electors—so yes, if this amendment is not passed, then the information that is found on the register of future electors could be shared. Of cou

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As was just said, this amendment would require Elections Canada to send the list of deceased people who were specifically removed from the list. I cannot comment on the need, but these persons are not on the list of electors that is provided by Elections Canada anymore, so....

Procedure and House Affairs committee  As we just mentioned a few minutes ago, political parties will still be able to recommend election officers to the attention of returning officers. The ratio that is assigned to each party is determined with reference to the results of the last general election.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  It is for the appointment of election officers. For example, in the 43rd general election, the parties will be able to recommend to returning officers the names of potential election officers in various electoral districts. Had two major parties merged following the previous ge

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Absolutely, yes. Part of the polling station modernization portion of the bill gives more flexibility for returning officers in electoral districts to hire election officers in advance of receiving the party appointment suggestions. The returning officers will now be able to appo

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Mr. Cullen, when were you first elected?

Procedure and House Affairs committee  At that point, returning officers were still appointed by the Governor in Council, but the Canada Elections Act was amended a few years ago to provide that returning officers are now appointed by the Chief Electoral Officer following a fair recruitment process.