Electoral Reform committee  To conclude, I would like to make a comment. You all have life experience and, as you know, people are resistant to change. Proposing a major change is going to call for very thorough discussion. Good luck to everyone.

Electoral Reform committee  Thank you. I would like some clarification about the time we have for putting this all in place. Could someone here tell me what the present government's plans are in terms of bringing this change into force? The summer of 2016 is virtually over and it will be 2017 in a few months.

Electoral Reform committee  I'm back.

Electoral Reform committee  It should be the same three minutes. Mr. Chairman, I read off your website your remarks when you were nominated to be chairman of this assembly, and I will quote your statement: [We] will broadly consult Canadians on how to change the first-past-the-post voting system. [We will] examine options available for modifying Canada's electoral system so that the distribution of seats...better reflects each party's share of the popular vote...

Electoral Reform committee  Thank you. As parliamentarians, you all know that words matter. Mr. Chairman, I didn't see in your words where you suggest that the decision will come from the people, and it must come from the people. In my earlier intervention today, I wanted to add my personal view. I told you I've become cynical in my old age.

Electoral Reform committee  Thank you. Welcome to Joliette. With all that I've listened to today, I'm still trying to figure out why we're having this discussion on voting reform. I've become a cynic. How will a change in the voting system impact governing parties from taking decisions in Parliament, such as back in February the vote against the Palestinian occupation?