Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  I'd just like to point out, Mr. Chair, that the analysis for this proposal was done, and it was determined that 99% of contributions to parties in Canada are for an amount less than $1,000 and that the average donation to parties and candidates is less than $200. Having said th

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Mr. Chair, subsection 404.2(6) of the Canada Elections Act provides that: The payment by an individual during a year of fees of not more than $25 per year in relation to a period of not more than 5 years for membership in a registered party is not a contribution. So that amo

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  That's correct.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  I'm not aware of such a case.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  If there was any indication either to the Chief Electoral Officer or a judge indicating that there was something untoward happening, that is so.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Mr. Chair, I guess there's currently a parallel provision in the Canada Elections Act, where if the official agent of a member has not filed Canada's election return, they can't sit or vote in the House of Commons. Exactly the same safeguards exist with respect to that possibilit

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to point out that there are safeguards in Bill C-2 to protect against an undue empiètement on the privileges of the House. If one looks at the proposed section 92.3 in clause 40, this allows the candidate to seek an extension from the Chief Elector

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Mr. Chair, that's correct.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Basically everything is included. They all have to be disclosed to the Ethics Commissioner, except for RRSPs and RESPs. The ones that must be terminated are all trust funds, except for those set up by a relative, and there's a definition of “relatives” in the clause.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  As I mentioned, an example is a testamentary trust, so a trust set up by the will of a person who was not a relative. That would be included. It could include any trust set up by a non-relative, essentially.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  That was the purpose or intent behind the clause, to include all trusts.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Yes, it is.

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Right now, clause 99, which was pretty much included in the subamendment, requires that all trusts be included, so we're not just talking about trusts that were set up for political purposes to try to campaign. It includes personal trusts; so if your friend leaves you a testament

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  I think that's something for the committee to decide, whether there would be a policy goal to be achieved in putting in these, as you mention, severe consequences for a candidate having to run. They'll have to disclose all of their personal assets that are in trusts. The rule und

Bill C-2 (39th Parliament, 1st Session) committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think there are a few points that should be brought up for the committee's information. When he appeared before the committee, the law clerk mentioned that the intent of the provisions was to regulate political financing, and as a result, the matter was