Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Government Operations met on October 14, 15 and 16 to conduct its review of Bill 23, An Act to Amend the Elections Act and agrees with the amendments proposed in the reprinted bill.

Bill 23 proposes to tighten up proxy voting procedures, include provisions for mail-in voting, increase candidate spending limits, standardize the voters list and clarify procedures for initiating and prosecuting Election Act violations. During its review of the bill, committee members were somewhat disappointed that the provisions for proxy voting were still included and suggested that proxy voting provisions should be removed. Members discussed this at length with the Minister and eventually the bill was amended in committee to provide an elector may apply for a proxy certificate only if they believe they will be out of the electoral district on polling day. That they will be more than 50 kilometres from the office of the returning officer for that particular electoral district.

Committee members also discussed the use of mail-in ballots. The committee outlined the need for a requirement for the prompt mail-out of ballots once the writ for election is released. This will allow ample time for students or residents temporarily outside their electoral districts to send in their votes.

Mr. Chairman, this concludes the committee's comments and our review of Bill 23. We appreciate the Ministers concurrence by accepting amendments proposed by the committee. Any further concerns or questions that Members may have will be addressed by them as we review the bill in committee of the whole. Thank you.