Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada on the 39th General Election of January 23, 2006

Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

October 26, 2004, to discuss the report of the 38th general election and improvements to the National Register of Electors; also highlighted the main features of the 2004 general election, including areas of improvement.

November 23, 2004, to discuss the report of the 38th general election, the appointment and performance of returning officers, the official voting results, and the location of polling stations.

May 5, 2005, to discuss the 2005–2006 main estimates, as well as the two budgetary authorities of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer.

October 20, 2005, to discuss Bill C-312, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (appointment of returning officers), including the appointment, length of term and performance of returning officers, and the Chief Electoral Officer's recommendations.

Senate Standing Committee on National Finance

February 8, 2005, concerning the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005.

The Chief Electoral Officer discussed the two budgetary authorities that fund his Office: an annual appropriation, plus a statutory authority granted by electoral legislation. The process for appointing and removing the Chief Electoral Officer was also discussed.

In its report following this appearance, the Committee recommended a stronger role for parliamentarians in examining the budgets of the officers of Parliament, further transparency in the appointment process of an officer of Parliament, and increased correspondence between officers of Parliament and parliamentarians. In response to the report, the government agreed to create a Special Committee on the Funding of Officers of Parliament chaired by the Speakers of the Senate and the House of Commons.

Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics

February 15, 2005, concerning the funding of his Office.

The Chief Electoral Officer discussed the two budgetary authorities that fund his Office, as well as the process for appointing and removing the Chief Electoral Officer.

In its report following this appearance, the Committee recommended a new parliamentary budget determination process, with membership comprised of Government and Opposition members from both Houses of Parliament, and the ability to receive advice from external experts during budget deliberations. The Committee was clear that, in the case of the Chief Electoral Officer, the budget determination process would apply only to his annual appropriation vote.

Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs

February 16, 2005, concerning the following proposed legislation:

• Bill C-36, An Act to change the boundaries of the Acadie–Bathurst and Miramichi electoral districts
• Bill C-302, An Act to change the name of the electoral district of Kitchener–Wilmot–Wellesley–Woolwich
• Bill C-304, An Act to change the name of the electoral district of Battle River

Discussion concerned the effects these bills would have on the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, including the reprinting of maps and atlases, and the updating of computer systems to produce accurate voter information cards, lists of electors and geographical information.