PROC Committee Meeting
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Minutes of Proceedings
The witnesses made statements and answered questions.
The committee commenced its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.
The Chair called Clause 1.
On Clause 1,
Daniel Blaikie moved, — That Bill C-19, in Clause 1, be amended by replacing line 4 on page 1 with the following:“1 The Canada Elections Act is amended by adding the following after section 116:
116.1 (1) In an electoral district that is, or includes, Indigenous land or in which a language of at least 1% of the electors is an Indigenous language, the Chief Electoral Officer may require that all the ballots for that electoral district be prepared and printed in both official languages as well as in the Indigenous language or languages of the electors, using the appropriate writing systems for each language, including syllabics if applicable.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), Indigenous land means
(a) a reserve and any other land that is set apart for the use and benefit of a band under the Indian Act; and
(b) land that is subject to a comprehensive or specific claim agreement, or a self-government agreement, between the Government of Canada and an Indigenous people of Canada.
1.1 The Act is amended by”
Debate arose thereon.
The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.
Whereupon, Daniel Blaikie appealed the decision of the Chair.
The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 9;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Alain Therrien — 2.
“1 The Canada Elections Act is amended by adding the following after section 116:
116.1 (1) In Nunavut, all ballots must be prepared and printed in English, French, Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun, using the appropriate writing systems for each language, including syllabics if applicable.
1.1 The Act is amended by”
Debate arose thereon.
The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.
Whereupon, Daniel Blaikie appealed the decision of the Chair.
The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was sustained on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 9;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Alain Therrien — 2.
(a) by replacing line 2 on page 2 with the following:
“or, subject to subsection (4), ensuring the health or safety of electors or election of-”
(b) by adding after line 6 on page 2 the following:
“(2) Section 17 is to be read as including the following after subsection (3):
(4) The Chief Electoral Officer shall obtain the agreement of a representative of each registered party represented in the House of Commons at that time, or if Parliament is dissolved, at the time of dissolution, designated in writing by their party leader, to each adaptation or extension made under subsection (1) for the sole purpose of ensuring the health and safety of electors or election officers.”
Debate arose thereon.
The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.
“(2) Subsection 17(2) is to be read as follows:
(2) The Chief Electoral Officer shall not extend the voting hours, or change the voting days, at an advance polling station or, subject to subsection (3), extend the voting hours during the polling period.”
Debate arose thereon.
The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.
“(2) Section 17 is to be read as including the following after subsection (2):
(2.1) The Chief Electoral Officer shall not prohibit the presence of candidates at polling stations or advance polling stations or, in their absence, the presence of a representative acting on a candidate’s behalf.”
Debate arose thereon.
The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.
Whereupon, Karen Vecchio appealed the decision of the Chair.
The question: "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" was put and the decision was overturned on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 5;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Alain Therrien, Karen Vecchio — 6.
The question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Alain Therrien, Karen Vecchio — 6;
NAYS: Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 5.
“(2) Section 17 is to be read as including the following after subsection (2):
(2.1) The Chief Electoral Officer shall not authorize alternative voting processes or voting technology that allows electors to vote, or ballots to be counted, by telephone, Internet or other electronic means.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was agreed to.
Pursuant to the order adopted by the committee on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, the following amendment, submitted by Elizabeth May for the consideration of the committee, was deemed moved:
That Bill C-19, in Clause 1, be amended by adding after line 6 on page 2 the following:
“558.1 Section 66 is to be read as including the following after subsection (1):
(1.1) For the sole purpose of ensuring the health or safety of an elector or a prospective candidate, the Chief Electoral Officer may allow the signatures required under paragraphs (1)(e) and (f) to be provided in electronic form.”
The question was put on the amendment of Elizabeth May and it was negatived.
“Electronic Signatures for Nomination Papers
558.1 Section 66 is to be read as including the following after subsection (4):
(5) Subject to the instructions of the Chief Electoral Officer, a requirement under paragraphs (1)(e) to (g) for a signature is satisfied by an electronic signature.
(6) The Chief Electoral Officer may make instructions
(a) respecting, for the purposes of subsection (5), the use of electronic signatures; and
(b) adapting paragraph (1)(e) or (f) with respect to the requirement for a witness to a signature referred to in those paragraphs if an electronic signature is used, based on the security features of the electronic signature, including by waiving that requirement.
(7) The Chief Electoral Officer shall publish the instructions made under subsection (6) on the Chief Electoral Officer’s Internet site within two days after the day on which the writs are issued.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ryan Turnbull and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 7;
NAYS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4.
“Signatures of Electors Resident in the Electoral District on Nomination Papers
558.1 Paragraphs 66(1)(e) and (f) are to be read as follows:
(e) for any electoral district except one listed in Schedule 3, the names, addresses and signatures, made in the presence of a witness, of at least 50 electors resident in the electoral district;
(f) for an electoral district listed in Schedule 3, the names, addresses and signatures, made in the presence of a witness, of at least 25 electors resident in the electoral district;”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Alain Therrien, Karen Vecchio — 6;
NAYS: Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 5.
At 12:29 p.m., the sitting was suspended.
At 12:35 p.m., the sitting resumed.
“not to be open for a total of more than six hours during”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 7.
Clause 1, as amended, carried.
Clause 2 carried.
On Clause 3,
Karen Vecchio moved, — That Bill C-19, in Clause 3, be amended by replacing line 22 on page 4 with the following:“open for a total of more than six hours during that period.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 7.
“open for a total of more than 16 hours during that period.”
The question was put on the amendment of Alain Therrien and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Alain Therrien — 1;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 10.
Clause 3 carried on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 7;
NAYS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4.
On Clause 4,
Karen Vecchio moved, — That Bill C-19, in Clause 4, be amended(a) by replacing line 30 on page 4 with the following:
“(b) the 44th day before the Saturday referred to in”
(b) by replacing line 3 on page 6 with the following:
“be no earlier than the 43rd day and no later than the”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Alain Therrien, Karen Vecchio — 5;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 6.
(a) by replacing line 31 on page 4 with the following:
“subsection 56.1(2) or, if the Governor in Council makes an order under subsection 56.2(3), the 37th day before the alternate Saturday referred to in that order. (période préélectorale)”
(b) by replacing line 32 on page 5 with the following:
“565 (1) Subsections 56.2(1) and (2) are to be read as follows:
56.2 (1) If the Chief Electoral Officer is of the opinion that a Monday that would otherwise be the last day of the polling period under subsection 56.1(2) is not suitable for that purpose, including by reason of its being in conflict with a day of cultural or religious significance or a provincial or municipal election, the Chief Electoral Officer may choose alternate days in accordance with subsection (4) and shall recommend to the Governor in Council that the polling period be those alternate days.
(2) If the Chief Electoral Officer recommends alternate days for a general election in accordance with subsection (1), he or she shall without delay publish in the Canada Gazette notice of the days recommended.
(2) Subsection 56.2(4) is to be as read as follows:
(4) The alternate days must be
(a) the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding, and the Tuesday immediately following, the Monday that would otherwise be the last day of the polling period; or
(b) the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the following week.”
(c) by replacing lines 8 to 11 on page 6 with the following:
“(3) Subsections 57(3) to (5) are to be read as follows:
(3) Subject to subsection (4) and section 56.2, the polling period shall be three consecutive days consisting of a Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
(4) In the case of a general election that is not held on days set in accordance with subsection 56.1(2) or section 56.2, if, in the week in which the election is to be held, the Monday is a holiday, the polling period shall be the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding, and the Tuesday immediately following, the Monday that is a holiday.
(5) If the days fixed for the vote include a Tuesday because of subsection (4) or section 56.2, any time period specified under this Act before or after the last day of the polling period is to be calculated as if the last day of the polling period were the Monday.”
(d) by replacing line 11 on page 7 with the following:
“(5) Paragraph 59(5)(e) is to be read as follows:
(e) for the purposes of this subsection, if the last day of the polling period originally fixed under paragraph 57(1.2)(c) is a Tuesday because of section 56.2 or subsection 57(4), it is deemed to be a Monday.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 7.
(a) by replacing lines 9 and 10 on page 6 with the following:
“(3) The polling period shall be two consecutive days consisting of a Saturday and Sunday.”
(b) by replacing line 13 on page 8 with the following:
“128 (1) The voting hours on the first day of”
(c) by replacing line 11 on page 9 with the following:
“(a) on the first day of the polling period,”
(d) by replacing line 28 on page 9 with the following:
“(b) on the second day that the polling station is”
The question was put on the amendment of Alain Therrien and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Alain Therrien — 2;
NAYS: Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 9.
“the polling period are from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 7.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 7.
(a) by replacing line 21 on page 11 with the following:
“last day of the polling period in or-”
(b) by replacing line 33 on page 11 with the following:
“p.m. on the last day of the polling”
(c) by replacing line 8 on page 12 with the following:
“p.m. on the last day of the polling”
(d) by replacing lines 22 and 23 on page 12 with the following:
“Capital Region no later than 6:00 p.m. on the last day of the polling period shall be count-”
(e) by replacing line 31 on page 12 with the following:
“the last day of the polling period.”
(f) by replacing line 3 on page 13 with the following:
“Region after 6:00 p.m. on the”
The question was put on the amendment of Alain Therrien and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Alain Therrien, Karen Vecchio — 5;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 6.
“riod and is received at the office of that returning officer no later than 6:00”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ryan Turnbull and it was agreed to.
(a) by replacing line 13 on page 13 with the following:
“582 (1) Subject to subsection (1.1), the Chief Electoral Officer may, within two days”
(b) by adding after line 26 on page 13 the following:
“(1.1) The Chief Electoral Officer shall obtain the agreement of a representative of each registered party represented in the House of Commons at that time, or if Parliament is dissolved, at the time of dissolution, designated in writing by their party leader, to each modification made under subsection (1).”
Debate arose thereon.
The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.
(a) by replacing line 19 on page 13 with the following:
“or backward, unless that day is a day on which advance polling stations are to be open or is the closing day for”
(b) by replacing line 25 on page 13 with the following:
“ending date is a day on which advance polling stations are to be open or is the closing day for nominations, by up”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Alain Therrien, Karen Vecchio — 5;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 6.
(a) by replacing line 20 on page 13 with the following:
“nominations, by up to two days if the day being modified is before the day on which advance polling stations open, or by one day in any other case; and”
(b) by replacing line 26 on page 13 with the following:
“to two days if the day being modified is before the day on which advance polling stations open, or by one day in any other case.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Alain Therrien, Karen Vecchio — 5;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull — 6.
“(k.1) section 323;
(k.2) section 328;”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Alain Therrien and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Alain Therrien — 2;
NAYS: Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 9.
Clause 4, as amended, carried on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 7;
NAYS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4.
On Clause 5,
Daniel Blaikie moved, — That Bill C-19, in Clause 5, be amended by adding after line 15 on page 17 the following:“588.1 (1) Paragraph 227(2)(a) is to be read as follows:
(a) subject to subsection (4), writing on the ballot the name of the candidate of his or her choice or the candidate's political affiliation;
(2) Section 227 is to be read as including the following after subsection (3):
(4) If the candidate of the elector's choice is independent, the elector shall write the candidate's name on the ballot.”
Debate arose thereon.
The question was put on the amendment of Daniel Blaikie and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 5;
NAYS: Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 6.
(a) by adding after line 15 on page 17 the following:
“588.1 The declaration that is prescribed by the Chief Electoral Officer and that an elector is required to sign under section 212, paragraph 227(2)(c) or subsection 257(1) shall have the elector’s electoral district and polling division number placed on it before it is provided to the elector.
588.2 Section 186.1 is to be read as follows:
186.1 Without delay after the writs are issued, the special voting rules administrator shall distribute to commanding officers and, as the special voting rules administrator considers appropriate, to any other person or to any place the election materials necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Part, including materials for the purpose of determining in which electoral district and polling division an elector is entitled to vote.
588.3 Subsection 204(3) is to be read as follows:
(3) The list shall be arranged alphabetically and shall indicate each elector’s surname, given names and service number, the address of his or her place of ordinary residence and his or her electoral district and polling division.
588.4 Paragraph 210(b) is to be read as follows:
(b) keep available for consultation by the electors the text of this Part, the election materials necessary for determining in which electoral district and polling division an elector is entitled to vote and the list of candidates.
588.5 Paragraph 211.2(2)(f) is to be read as follows:
(f) any other information that the Chief Electoral Officer considers necessary to determine the electoral district and polling division in which he or she is entitled to vote.
588.6 Paragraph 223(1)(h) is to be read as follows:
(h) any other information that the Chief Electoral Officer considers necessary to determine the elector’s entitlement to vote or the electoral district and polling division in which he or she may vote.”
(b) by adding after line 23 on page 17 the following:
“589.1 Paragraph 233(1)(e) is to be read as follows:
(e) any other information that the Chief Electoral Officer considers necessary to determine the elector’s entitlement to vote or the electoral district and polling division in which he or she may vote.”
(c) by adding after line 12 on page 19 the following:
“592.1 Subsections 251(4) and (5) are to be read as follows:
(4) The liaison officer shall validate the application for registration and special ballot by signing it and indicating on it the name of the electoral district and the number of the polling division that includes the place of ordinary residence as determined under subsection (2).
(5) If a dispute arises as to in which electoral district or polling division an elector may vote, the elector may refer the matter to the returning officer for the electoral district where the correctional institution is located, and the returning officer shall make a final determination in accordance with the process for revising lists of electors.
592.2 Paragraph 254(b) is to be read as follows:
(b) keep readily available for consultation by electors a copy of this Part, a set of street indexes, a guide to electoral districts and polling divisions and a list of candidates.
592.3 Section 265 is to be read as if numbered subsection 265(1) and as including the following after that subsection (1):
(2) The instructions for the receiving, sorting and counting of special ballots prescribed under subsection (1) shall include a requirement that the ballots be sorted by the electoral district and polling division placed on the declarations signed by electors.
592.4 Section 268 is to be read as follows:
268 Each pair of special ballot officers shall count the votes for only one polling division at a time.
592.5 Paragraphs 271(a) to (c) are to be read as follows:
(a) the number of votes counted for each candidate for each polling division in every electoral district;
(b) the total number of votes counted for each polling division in each electoral district; and
(c) the number of rejected ballots for each polling division in each electoral district.
592.6 (1) Subsection 278(2) is to be read as follows:
(2) They shall put all the inner envelopes that have not been set aside in a ballot box provided by the returning officer for the polling division that corresponds to the polling division placed on the declarations signed by electors.
(2) Section 278 is to be read as including the following after subsection (3):
(4) Each pair of election officers referred to in subsection (3) shall count the votes for only one polling division at a time.
592.7 Subsection 280(1) is to be read as follows:
280 (1) The Chief Electoral Officer shall, without delay after the closing of the polling stations at an election, inform each returning officer of the results of the count under Division 6 for the returning officer’s electoral district, giving the number of votes cast for each candidate and the number of rejected ballots for each polling division.”
(d) by replacing lines 13 and 14 on page 19 with the following:
“593 (1) Paragraph 281.7(1)(f) is to be read as follows:
(f) alter, deface or destroy a ballot, the initials of the election officer that are signed on a ballot, the number of the polling division or advance polling district that is marked on a ballot or a declaration that an elector is required to sign under section 212, paragraph 227(2)(c) or subsection 257(1);
(1.1) Subsection 281.7(1) is to be read as including the following after paragraph (h):”
(e) by adding after line 23 on page 19 the following:
“593.1 Paragraph 491.2(1)(j) is to be read as follows:
(j) knowingly contravenes any of paragraphs 281.7(1)(a), (b) and (d) to (i) (ballots or declarations);
593.2 Paragraph 533(a) is to be read as follows:
(a) by polling division, the total number of votes cast for each candidate at polling stations and under Part 11, the total number of rejected ballots at polling stations and under Part 11, and the number of names on the final list of electors;”
The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it was beyond the scope of the Bill, as provided on page 770 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.
“589.1 Division 4 of Part 11 is to be read as including the following after section 232:
232.1 (1) An elector may obtain an application for registration and special ballot at any post office in Canada.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Chief Electoral Officer shall provide the Canada Post Corporation with applications for registration and special ballot and information for the public about voting under this Division.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ryan Turnbull and it was agreed to on division.
Karen Vecchio moved, — That Bill C-19, in Clause 5, be amended
(a) by deleting lines 5 and 6 on page 18.
(b) by deleting lines 13 and 14 on page 18.
(c) by deleting line 24 on page 19 to line 6 on page 20.
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Karen Vecchio and it was negatived on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Peter Kent, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Karen Vecchio — 4;
NAYS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull — 7.
“592.1 Division 4 of Part 11 is to be read as including the following after section 243.1:
243.2 (1) The Chief Electoral Officer shall inform post-secondary educational institutions that offices for voting by special ballot may be established on their premises.
(2) A returning officer shall establish an office for voting by special ballot on the premises of a post-secondary educational institution in that returning officer’s electoral district if
(a) an office for voting by special ballot was established on its premises for the 2019 general election and the institution agrees to the establishment of the office; or
(b) the institution requests the establishment of an office for voting by special ballot on its premises and the returning officer is of the opinion that an office may be established for that purpose.
(3) An elector who applies in person to vote at an office established under subsection (2) shall be given a special ballot and may vote by following the procedure for voting by special ballot and return the outer envelope to an election officer at such an office.
(4) An elector who has received a special ballot, other than an elector referred to in subsection (3), may vote in person at an office established under subsection (2) by following the procedure for voting by special ballot and return their outer envelope to an election officer at that office.
(5) An office established under subsection (2) may be open during the period that begins on the 18th day before the first day of the polling period and ends at 6:00 p.m. on the 6th day before the first day of the polling period, but the office is not to be open for a total of more than 28 hours during that period.
(6) For the purposes of this section, an office established under subsection (2) in an electoral district is deemed to be the office of the returning officer in that electoral district.
(7) For the purposes of this section, the Chief Electoral Officer may issue any instructions that the Chief Electoral Officer considers necessary in order to execute its purposes.”
After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Ryan Turnbull and it was agreed to.
“592.1 Section 266 is to be read as follows:
266 The counting of votes shall commence on a date to be fixed by the Chief Electoral Officer or, if no date is fixed, on Wednesday, the 5th day before the last day of the polling period, and shall not be further adjourned or postponed beyond the last day of the polling period.
592.2 Section 278 is to be read as including the following after subsection (3):
(4) The counting of the votes shall not be adjourned or postponed beyond the last day of the polling period.”
Debate arose thereon.
The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it sought to amend sections of the parent Act not amended by the Bill, as provided on page 771 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Third Edition.
Clause 5, as amended, carried on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 11;
NAYS: — 0.
Clause 6 carried on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 11;
NAYS: — 0.
Clause 7 carried on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 11;
NAYS: — 0.
Clause 8 carried on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 11;
NAYS: — 0.
Clause 9 carried on the following recorded division:
YEAS: Daniel Blaikie, Kirsty Duncan, Peter Kent, Stéphane Lauzon, Wayne Long, Tom Lukiwski, John Nater, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Alain Therrien, Ryan Turnbull, Karen Vecchio — 11;
NAYS: — 0.
On Clause 10,
Karen Vecchio moved, — That Bill C-19, in Clause 10, be amended by replacing line 14 on page 22 with the following:“day on which the notice is published, which day must not be earlier than September 20, 2021.”
Debate arose thereon.
At 2:36 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.