THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 27, 2026
(40)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs met this day at 4:15 p.m., in room B30, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable David M. Arnot, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Arnot, Batters, Busson, Clement, Lewis, Miville-Dechêne, Oudar, Pate, Prosper, Saint-Germain, Simons and Wells (Alberta) (12).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senators Dasko, Duncan and Mohamed (3).
Participating in the meeting: Allison Lowenger and Dana Phillips, Analysts, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, May 7, 2026, the committee began its consideration of the subject matter 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.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, P.C., M.P, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.
WITNESSES:
Elections Canada:
Stéphane Perrault, Chief Electoral Officer;
Trevor Knight, General Counsel.
Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections:
Caroline Simard, Commissioner of Canada Elections;
Michael Bisson, Deputy Commissioner, Operations.
Privy Council Office:
Cathy Hawara, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Machinery of Government and Democratic Institutions;
Rachel Pereira, Director, Democratic Institutions.
Stéphane Perrault and Caroline Simard each made a statement and, together with Michael Bisson, answered questions.
At 5:20 p.m., the committee suspended.
At 5:30 p.m., the committee resumed.
The minister made a statement and answered questions.
At 6:31 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Vincent Labrosse
Clerk of the Committee