Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  There are no limits in terms of the expenditures, but there are limits in terms of the contributions. So, for example, if you are a candidate you cannot spend more than $1,000, the normal contribution limit, plus, as is the case for members of Parliament, there's a doubling-up

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  You can receive as much money as you want, as long as the persons giving you that money.... Each individual can only give you $1,000 indexed—so it's $1,100 now—as in the Canada Elections Act. The reason there is no—

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  I think perhaps a bit of clarification on the spending point might be useful for members. The spending limit was something that was looked at in constructing the bill. The reason there's no spending limit is this. In a province-wide election, if you take your case of Ontario, as

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  To candidates running for the House of Commons, yes, but not those running for a Senate position.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  There are several reasons for that. First of all, there is no limit for the Senate because the process applies to all the provinces; it is much more extensive than the one that applies to the House of Commons. Also, a number of other restrictions apply to contributions, the same

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Yes. Contributions are subject to restrictions, given that the selection process extends to all the provinces, and to both at the same time, and that there is no contribution limit.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  It would depend on the circumstances surrounding the selection and the consultation order made by the Prime Minister. As I said at the outset, it is the Prime Minister who determines in advance the number of seats to which the process will apply.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Yes, exactly.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Yes.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  The general process articulated in the bill is that the process would normally be held in conjunction with a federal general election. The bill also provides that the process could be run in conjunction with a provincial general election, but in those circumstances it would have

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  It will be impossible to arrive at that result, because the quota is determined by the number of votes. That is the first step. In each case, it is clear that one candidate will be elected.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  In each case, it is the number of votes that determines the process.

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  At that point, the quota would be lower than in other circumstances. It is not necessarily associated with the number…

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  First of all, restrictions apply to the parties only with respect to Senate nominees. The party must be registered in the House of Commons in accordance with the Canada Elections Act. Also, there are restrictions of a financial nature. For example, it would be illegal for partie

Bill C-20 (39th Parliament, 2nd Session) committee  Yes, exactly. The idea is to reduce the power of the political parties because in the Senate, the focus is more on individuals than on political parties. The parties are subject to a number of restrictions with respect to Senate nominees. Another reason is that the intention is