PROC Committee Meeting

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Minutes of Proceedings

Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC)

45th Parliament, 1st Session

Meeting 35

Thursday, May 28, 2026, 11:04 a.m. to 1:11 p.m.

Room 035-B, West Block

Webcast

Presiding

Chris Bittle, Chair (Liberal)

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Members of the Committee present

Liberal

Conservative

Bloc Québécois

Christine Normandin

Acting Members present

• Rhéal Éloi Fortin for Christine Normandin (Bloc Québécois)

• Michael Kram for Tako Van Popta (Conservative)

• Sherry Romanado for Élisabeth Brière (Liberal)

Other Members present

• Elizabeth May (Green Party)

In attendance

House of Commons

• Alexie Labelle, Legislative Clerk

• Nellie Winters, Legislative Clerk

Bill C-25, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and to enact An Act to change the names of certain electoral districts, 2026

Witnesses

Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections

• Jean-Michel Kalubiaka, Senior Counsel and Director, Legal Services

• Chantal Richard, Executive Director and Senior General Counsel, Legal Services

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

• Trevor Knight, General Counsel, Legal Services

• Karolyn Savard, General Counsel and Senior Director, Legal Services

Privy Council Office

• Rachel Pereira, Director, Democratic Institutions

Pursuant to the order of reference of Friday, April 24, 2026, the committee resumed consideration of Bill C-25, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act and to enact An Act to change the names of certain electoral districts, 2026.

Trevor Knight and Rachel Pereira answered questions.

The committee commenced its clause-by-clause study of the Bill.

Pursuant to Standing Order 75(1), consideration of Clause 1 (short title) was postponed.

The Chair called Clause 2.

Clause 2 carried.

On Clause 2.1,

Pursuant to the order adopted by the committee on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the following amendment, submitted by Elizabeth May for the consideration of the committee, was deemed moved: That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 12 on page 1 the following new clause:

“2.1 Paragraph 66(1)(e) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(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 75 electors resident in the electoral district;”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Elizabeth May and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Christine Normandin — 1;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Jessica Fancy, Grant Jackson, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Michael Kram, Tim Louis, Anita Vandenbeld — 10.

Pursuant to the order adopted by the committee on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the following amendment, submitted by Elizabeth May for the consideration of the committee, was deemed moved:

That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 12 on page 1 the following new clause:

“2.1 Subsection 67(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

67 (1) A prospective candidate shall file the nomination paper with the returning officer in the electoral district in which the prospective candidate is seeking nomination at any time during the period that begins on one of the following days and ends on the closing day for nominations:

(a) the first day of the pre-election period in the case of a general election that is held on a day set in accordance with subsection 56.1(2) or section 56.2; and

(b) the date of the issue of the Notice of Election in any other case.”

The question was put on the amendment of Elizabeth May and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: — 0;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Jessica Fancy, Grant Jackson, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Michael Kram, Tim Louis, Christine Normandin, Anita Vandenbeld — 11.

Clause 3 carried.

On Clause 4,

Christine Normandin moved, — That Bill C-25, in Clause 4, be amended by deleting lines 9 to 11 on page 2.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Christine Normandin and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Christine Normandin — 1;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Jessica Fancy, Grant Jackson, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Michael Kram, Tim Louis, Anita Vandenbeld — 10.

Clause 4 carried.

Clause 5 carried.

On new Clause 5.1,

Michael Cooper moved, — That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 2 on page 3 the following new clause:

“5.1 Subsection 175(5) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(5) Until the counting of the ballots on polling day, an election officer shall keep the sealed ballot box or boxes in his or her custody in an office that is locked using a three-point locking system and monitored by video surveillance, in accordance with the Chief Electoral Officer’s instructions.

(5.1) Despite subsection (5), the Chief Electoral Officer may specify alternative measures, and issue instructions or guidance regarding their appropriate use, to ensure that the ballot box or boxes are not tampered with in cases where it is impractical to keep them in an office that is locked using a three-point locking system and monitored by video surveillance.

(5.2) If the ballot box or boxes in an election officer’s custody are relocated before they are sent to the returning officer, the election officer shall notify the candidates in writing of the relocation.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Michael Cooper and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Grant Jackson, Michael Kram — 4;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Jessica Fancy, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Tim Louis, Christine Normandin, Anita Vandenbeld — 7.

Christine Normandin moved, — That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 2 on page 3 the following new clause:

“5.1 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 109:

Exclusion of Information

109.1 At the written request of an elector, the Chief Electoral Officer shall exclude, for a period of five years, the elector’s name and address, as well as the identifier assigned to them by the Chief Electoral Officer, from the lists made available to registered parties, eligible parties, members or candidates under subsection 45(1) or 93(1.‍1), section 94, 104.‍1 or 104.‍2 or subsection 107(3) or (4) or 109(2).”

Christine Normandin moved, — That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 2 on page 3 the following new clause:

“5.1 (1) The portion of subsection 143(2) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

(2) If the election officer determines that the elector’s name and address appear on the list of electors or that the elector is allowed to vote under section 146, 147, 148 or 149, then the elector shall provide the election officer with the following proof of his or her identity and residence:

(2) Subsections 143(3) to (3.02) of the Act are repealed.

(3) Subsection 143(3.1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(3.1) If the address contained in the piece or pieces of identification provided under subsection (2) does not prove the elector’s residence but is consistent with information related to the elector that appears on the list of electors, the elector’s residence is deemed to have been proven.

(4) Subsection 143(4) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(4) If the election officer is satisfied that an elector’s identity and residence have been proven in accordance with subsection (2), (3.1) or (3.2), the elector’s name shall be crossed off the list and, subject to section 144, the elector shall be immediately allowed to vote.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Christine Normandin and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Grant Jackson, Michael Kram, Christine Normandin — 5;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Jessica Fancy, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Tim Louis, Anita Vandenbeld — 6.

At 11:48 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 11:59 a.m., the meeting resumed.

Arielle Kayabaga moved, — That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 2 on page 3 the following:

“5.1 Subsection 175(5) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(4.1) The candidates or their representatives may, when an advance polling station closes on each of the four days of advance polling, sign the seal on any ballot box that was used on that day.

(5) Until the counting of the ballots on polling day, an election officer shall keep the sealed ballot box or boxes in their custody in accordance with the Chief Electoral Officer’s instructions. The election officer shall

(a) take every precaution to ensure the safekeeping of the sealed ballot box or boxes and to prevent any person from having unlawful access to the box or boxes; and

(b) if they deliver the custody of the sealed ballot box or boxes into the custody of another election officer, make a record that they have done so and ensure that the candidates are notified in writing.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Arielle Kayabaga and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Élisabeth Brière, Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Jessica Fancy, Grant Jackson, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Michael Kram, Tim Louis, Christine Normandin, Anita Vandenbeld — 11;

NAYS: — 0.

Clause 6 carried.

Clause 7 carried.

Clause 8 carried.

Clause 9 carried.

Clause 10 carried.

Clause 11 carried.

Clause 12 carried.

Clause 13 carried.

Clause 14 carried.

Clause 15 carried.

Clause 16 carried.

Clause 17 carried.

Clause 18 carried.

On Clause 19,

Michael Cooper moved, — That Bill C-25, in Clause 19, be amended by deleting lines 3 to 24 on page 10.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Michael Cooper and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Grant Jackson, Michael Kram, Christine Normandin — 5;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Jessica Fancy, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Tim Louis, Anita Vandenbeld — 6.

Clause 19 carried.

Clause 20 carried.

Clause 21 carried.

Clause 22 carried.

On Clause 23,

Michael Cooper moved, — That Bill C-25, in Clause 23, be amended by deleting lines 15 to 36 on page 12.

The question was put on the amendment of Michael Cooper and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Grant Jackson, Michael Kram, Christine Normandin — 5;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Jessica Fancy, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Tim Louis, Anita Vandenbeld — 6.

Clause 23 carried.

Clause 24 carried.

Clause 25 carried.

On new Clause 25.1,

Christine Normandin moved, — That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 8 on page 17 the following new clause:

“25.1 Paragraphs 367(1)(a) to (d) of the Act are replaced by the following:

(a) $500 in total in any calendar year to a particular registered party;

(b) $500 in total in any calendar year to the registered associations, nomination contestants and candidates of a particular registered party;

(d) $1,000 in total in any calendar year to the leadership contestants in a particular leadership contest.”

The question was put on the amendment of Christine Normandin and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Christine Normandin — 1;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Jessica Fancy, Grant Jackson, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Michael Kram, Tim Louis, Anita Vandenbeld — 10.

Clause 26 carried.

On new Clause 26.1,

Christine Normandin moved, — That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 37 on page 17 the following new clause:

“26.1 (1) Subsection 377(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

377 (1) If a fundraising activity is held for the primary purpose of soliciting a monetary contribution for a registered party, a registered association, a potential candidate, a nomination contestant, a candidate or a leadership contestant by way of selling a ticket, the amount of the monetary contribution received is the difference between the price of the ticket and the fair market value of what the ticket entitles the bearer to obtain.

(2) Paragraph 377(2)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(b) their share of any general expenses incurred by the registered party, registered association, potential candidate, nomination contestant, candidate or leadership contestant, as the case may be, in holding the activity, such as expenses incurred for the rental of a meeting space or for any audiovisual equipment used.”

Clause 27 carried.

On new Clause 27.1,

Michael Cooper moved, — That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 5 on page 18 the following new clause:

“27.1 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 382:

383 For the purposes of section 382, in respect of a contributor described in any of paragraphs 432(2)(c), 475.4(2)(c), 476.75(2)(g), 477.59(2)(h) and 478.8(2)(g), the Chief Electoral Officer shall publish only the name, the municipality or its equivalent, the forward sortation area portion of the postal code and the province of residence of the contributor.”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Michael Cooper and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Grant Jackson, Michael Kram, Christine Normandin — 5;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Jessica Fancy, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Tim Louis, Anita Vandenbeld — 6.

Christine Normandin moved, — That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 5 on page 18 the following new clause:

“27.1 Section 384.1 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (4):

(5) For the purposes of this division, a reference to “candidate” also includes a reference to “potential candidate”.”

On Clause 28,

Pursuant to the order adopted by the committee on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the following amendment, submitted by Don Davies for the consideration of the committee, was deemed moved: That Bill C-25, in Clause 28, be amended by replacing lines 6 to 8 on page 18 with the following:

“28 Paragraph 384.2(2)(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(a) the date and time of the regulated fundraising event;”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Don Davies and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Grant Jackson, Michael Kram, Christine Normandin — 5;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Jessica Fancy, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Tim Louis, Anita Vandenbeld — 6.

Clause 28 carried.

On Clause 29,

Pursuant to the order adopted by the committee on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the following amendment, submitted by Don Davies for the consideration of the committee, was deemed moved: That Bill C-25, in Clause 29, be amended by replacing line 17 on page 18 with the following:

“paragraph (2)‍(a) to the postal code, the municipality, or its equivalent,”

The question was put on the amendment of Don Davies and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Grant Jackson, Michael Kram, Christine Normandin — 5;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Jessica Fancy, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Tim Louis, Anita Vandenbeld — 6.

Clause 29 carried.

On Clause 30,

Pursuant to the order adopted by the committee on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the following amendment, submitted by Don Davies for the consideration of the committee, was deemed moved: That Bill C-25, in Clause 30, be amended by replacing lines 19 and 20 on page 18 with the following:

“30 Section 384.‍4 of the Act is replaced by the following:

384.4 If a registered party, a registered association, a nomination contestant, a candidate or a leadership contestant receives a contribution in respect of a regulated fundraising event in respect of which section 384.2 is not complied with, the chief agent of the registered party, the financial agent of the registered association, the official agent of the candidate or the financial agent of the nomination contestant or leadership contestant, as the case may be, shall, within 30 days after becoming aware of the non-compliance, return the contribution unused to the contributor or, if that is not possible, pay the amount of it — or, in the case of a non-monetary contribution, an amount of money equal to its commercial value — to the Chief Electoral Officer, who shall forward that amount to the Receiver General.”

Debate arose thereon.

Christine Normandin moved, — That the amendment be amended by replacing the words “section 384.2 is” with the words “sections 384.2 and 384.3 are”. 

At 12:51 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 12:53 p.m., the meeting resumed.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Christine Normandin and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Grant Jackson, Michael Kram, Christine Normandin — 5;

NAYS: Élisabeth Brière, Jessica Fancy, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Tim Louis, Anita Vandenbeld — 6.

Clause 30 carried.

Clause 31 carried.

Clause 32 carried.

Clause 33 carried.

Clause 34 carried.

Clause 35 carried.

On new Clause 35.1,

Christine Normandin moved, — That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 11 on page 19 the following new clause:

“35.1 Subsection 445(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:

(2) An allowance fund for a quarter is the product of the number of valid votes cast in the election referred to in subsection (1) multiplied by [motion EN].50 and by the annual average Consumer Price Index, as published by Statistics Canada under the authority of the Statistics Act, for the calendar year immediately before the calendar year in which that election took place, calculated on the basis of 2025 being equal to 100.”

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment inadmissible because it infringed on the financial initiative of the Crown, as stated in section 16.77 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Fourth Edition.

Christine Normandin moved, — That Bill C-25 be amended by adding after line 11 on page 19 the following new clause:

“35.1 Section 446.2 of the Act is repealed.”

On Clause 36,

Michael Cooper moved, — That Bill C-25, in Clause 36, be amended by replacing line 1 on page 20 with the following:

“(i) knowingly providing false or misleading information to in‐”

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Michael Cooper and it was negatived on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Michael Cooper, Grant Jackson, Michael Kram — 4;

NAYS: Jessica Fancy, Matt Jeneroux, Arielle Kayabaga, Tim Louis, Christine Normandin, Sherry Romanado, Anita Vandenbeld — 7.

At 1:11 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Christine Holke

Clerk of the committee