Committee rejects increased powers

OTTAWA — A House of Commons committee has recommended against giving the country’s chief electoral officer powers similar to the auditor-general.

The committee recommended the chief electoral officer not receive powers to order documents about party expenses in the same way the auditor- general does with federal agencies and departments.

Instead, the committee recommended an external auditor be hired to review expense reports to ensure full compliance with election spending laws.

Politicians on the standing committee on procedure and house affairs also rejected a request from Elections Canada to enshrine into a law a method for federal prisoners to cast their ballots during elections.

Using their majority on the committee, the governing Conservatives also approved a recommendation that would prevent elections workers from striking between election calls.

A representative for Democratic Reform Minister Tim Uppal said he is reviewing the report.

The government must table a response to the committee report within 120 days.

The committee agreed on measures the country should adopt, including allowing online voter registration, increasing the wages of election workers, doubling the maximum fines for over- spending on election campaigns, and removing the 100- metre zone around polling stations where political advertising is banned.