The committee was studying Bill C-25, the strong and free elections act, and heard from Cathy Hawara, assistant secretary to cabinet for machinery of government and democratic institutions at the Privy Council Office, and Rachel Pereira, director of democratic institutions at the Privy Council Office, followed by Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon.
Cathy Hawara explained that the bill targets intentional harmful conduct while protecting good-faith errors, citing new provisions on false information that require knowledge the information is misleading and expanded administrative monetary penalties to give the commissioner flexibility for unintentional violations. She noted the bill closes gaps by extending key protections against foreign influence and misleading publications to apply at all times, not just during elections, and strengthens enforcement by giving the commissioner new authorities to compel cooperation and increasing maximum penalties to $25,000 for individuals and $100,000 for entities.
Rachel Pereira clarified that the 10% threshold for third parties using their own funds for regulated activities was based on the Chief Electoral Officer’s recommendation to avoid charter risks from a more restrictive regime, and that third parties meeting the threshold must still provide financial statements to Elections Canada. She acknowledged that contributions from prior years could be melded into general revenue, creating a potential transparency gap, and undertook to provide the committee with further details on how contributions from years before the pre-election period would be treated.
Minister Steven MacKinnon emphasized that the bill draws on recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer, the commissioner of Canada elections, and the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference, and incorporates all seven legislative recommendations from the committee’s study on unduly long ballots. He expressed openness to committee amendments on closing foreign funding loopholes for third parties, noting the 10% exception leaves a crack in the door, and defended removing the five-day advance notice for regulated fundraising events as a safety measure to avoid publishing home addresses online.
On the Alberta voter list breach, MacKinnon called it a serious breach of the Canada Elections Act and noted the bill strengthens privacy requirements for political parties, including mandatory security measures and a ban on selling personal information. He disagreed with the suggestion that the government should have appealed the 2017 court decision striking down candidate deposits, but said the bill’s measures on nomination forms and false information should deter the longest ballot committee’s disruptive activities.
Christine Normandin questioned whether the 10% threshold and removal of advance notice for fundraising events strike the right balance between transparency and safety, and MacKinnon said he was open to committee discussion on keeping the date and time requirement without the location. Normandin also raised concerns about protecting addresses of domestic violence victims on voter lists, and Pereira noted that electors can already request removal from the list in writing.
Michael Cooper pressed on the 10% exception, arguing it leaves loopholes for foreign money, and MacKinnon agreed the objective is to squeeze out foreign funds and welcomed committee advice on amendments. Cooper also noted the bill does not include a penalty for obtaining signatures on nomination papers before a candidate is identified, and MacKinnon said clauses 4 and 52 on false information may already address that.
Grant Jackson asked about foreign entities purchasing consulting services from third parties years before an election, and Pereira said such funds would only be captured if they fell in the year before the pre-election period, undertaking to confirm this to the committee. Jackson also questioned the basis for the $100,000 maximum administrative monetary penalty, and Pereira said it aligns with provincial regimes and other federal legislation.
Matt Jeneroux asked about protections against the Alberta voter list breach, and MacKinnon stressed that existing offences carry fines up to $10,000 and one year in prison, while the bill enhances enforcement powers. Jeneroux also asked about removing the five-day advance notice for fundraising events, and MacKinnon said full disclosure after the event is sufficient and publishing addresses invites harassment.
Michael Kram asked why the government did not appeal the 2017 court decision on candidate deposits, and MacKinnon said he could not second-guess that decision but believed the bill’s measures would deter the longest ballot committee. Kram also suggested the Chief Electoral Officer could add language to nomination forms warning against signing multiple papers, and MacKinnon said the CEO has the authority to do so.
Élisabeth Brière asked about extraterritorial application of offences, and MacKinnon said the bill expands the commissioner’s powers for international information sharing and works with international law enforcement. Brière also asked about the importance of consensus, and MacKinnon said it sends a strong message that parties can agree on democratic rules.
Blaine Calkins asked about regulating nomination contests, and MacKinnon said political parties should govern their own internal democracies, while financing remains a public matter for Elections Canada. Tim Louis asked why broad support is important, and MacKinnon said it contrasts with other democracies where electoral rules are challenged, and allows the committee to focus on targeted measures.
The committee did not debate any procedural motions or votes during this meeting.
AI-generated summary — may contain errors; verify against the official evidence.