C-64.1 - Referendum Act

Updated to 22 October 1999

This document has official status.

chapter C-64.1

Referendum Act

CHAPTER I INTERPRETATION

1. In this Act,

(1)  “authorized entity”, “authorized party” and “official representative of an authorized political party” have the same meaning as in the Election Act (chapter E-3.3) where used in connection with a referendum;

(2)  “referendum period” means, for the purposes of regulated expenses, the period beginning on the day of the writ instituting the holding of a referendum and ending on polling day.

For purposes of the interpretation of this Act, the Election Act applies.

1978, c. 6, s. 1; 1981, c. 4, s. 5; 1984, c. 51, s. 530; 1989, c. 1, s. 584; 1992, c. 38, s. 78.

CHAPTER II CONSEIL DU RÉFÉRENDUM

2. A Conseil du référendum is established. It is composed of three judges of the Court of Québec, one of whom is the chairman, designated by the chief judge of that Court.

If one of the members of the Conseil du référendum is absent or unable to act, the chief judge of the Court of Québec shall designate another judge of the Court to replace him.

1978, c. 6, s. 2; 1988, c. 21, s. 66; 1999, c. 40, s. 87.

3. The Conseil du référendum shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear any judicial proceeding relating to a referendum and to the application of this Act.

Its decisions are final and without appeal.

However, an appeal lies to the Court of Appeal, on a question of law, from a decision rendered by the Conseil du référendum by virtue of section 41 or 42.

This appeal is heard by preference, and the decision of the Court is final and without appeal.

This appeal is governed by articles 491 to 524 of the Code of Civil Procedure (chapter C-25), so far as they are applicable.

1978, c. 6, s. 3.

4. Only the President or a member of the National Assembly may apply to the Conseil du référendum to render a decision on the subject of a referendum for the purposes of section 12.

The Conseil must render a decision within ten days of this application, failing which the subject of the referendum is deemed to be not substantially similar to that of a referendum held during the same Legislature.

Such application must be made and, as the case may be, the decision must be rendered before the National Assembly adopts the question contemplated in section 8 or the bill contemplated in section 10.

1978, c. 6, s. 4; 1982, c. 62, s. 143.

5. The Conseil du référendum must give its opinion on any question of law or technical question submitted to it by the Government respecting the holding of a referendum.

Upon the tabling in the National Assembly of a question contemplated in section 8 or a bill contemplated in section 10, every request for an opinion on that question or bill, as well as the opinion given by the Conseil du référendum, shall be made public by the latter.

1978, c. 6, s. 5; 1982, c. 62, s. 143.

6. The chairman of the Conseil du référendum may call upon the services, on a temporary basis, of any person he considers necessary for the carrying out of its functions in respect of the holding of a referendum.

1978, c. 6, s. 6.

CHAPTER III SUBJECT OF THE REFERENDUM

7. The Government may order that the electors be consulted by referendum

(a)  on a question approved by the National Assembly in accordance with sections 8 and 9, or

(b)  on a bill adopted by the National Assembly in accordance with section 10.

As soon as the National Assembly is informed of the question or bill contemplated in the first paragraph, the Secretary General of the National Assembly shall notify the chief electoral officer thereof in writing.

1978, c. 6, s. 7; 1982, c. 62, s. 143; 1992, c. 38, s. 79; 1995, c. 23, s. 53.

8. On a motion of the Prime Minister, the National Assembly may adopt the text of a question which is to be the subject of a referendum. The debate on this motion is business having precedence over any other question, except the debate on the Opening Speech of the session.

1978, c. 6, s. 8; 1982, c. 62, s. 143; 1992, c. 38, s. 80.

9. During debate of the motion contemplated in section 8, a member may propose a motion of amendment or sub-amendment, but the latter motion does not restrict the right of another member to introduce a similar motion, or to address the substantive motion and the motions of amendment or sub-amendment at the same time. The rule that a member may speak only once does not apply. Upon 35 hours of debate, the President of the National Assembly, after conferring with the house leaders of the parliamentary groups, must put the motions of amendment or sub-amendment and the substantive motion to the vote, in such order as he may determine.

1978, c. 6, s. 9; 1982, c. 62, s. 143; 1992, c. 38, s. 81.

10. A bill adopted by the National Assembly cannot be submitted to a referendum unless it contains, at the time of being tabled, a provision to that effect, as well as the text of the question submitted for the referendum.

This bill cannot be presented for assent until it has been submitted to the electors by way of a referendum.

1978, c. 6, s. 10; 1982, c. 62, s. 143.

11. A bill submitted to a referendum may be assented to after the prorogation of the session during which it was adopted, provided that it be before the dissolution of the Legislature which voted its adoption.

1978, c. 6, s. 11.

12. There shall not be, during the same Legislature, more than one referendum on the same subject or on a subject which, in the opinion of the Conseil du référendum, is substantially similar to the former subject.

1978, c. 6, s. 12.

CHAPTER IV REFERENDUM WRIT

1982, c. 31, s. 103.

13. The holding of a referendum is instituted by a writ of the Government addressed to the chief electoral officer. This writ enjoins him to hold a referendum on the date fixed therein.

The chief electoral officer shall send a copy of the writ to the returning officer of each electoral division, and the returning officer must comply with it.

1978, c. 6, s. 13; 1981, c. 4, s. 6; 1984, c. 51, s. 561; 1987, c. 28, s. 23; 1989, c. 1, s. 585; 1992, c. 38, s. 82.

14. No writ instituting the holding of a referendum may be issued before the eighteenth day following the day on which the National Assembly was informed of the question or bill contemplated in section 7.

1978, c. 6, s. 14; 1981, c. 4, s. 6; 1982, c. 62, s. 143; 1992, c. 38, s. 83.

15. From the time a writ instituting the holding of a general election is issued, every writ instituting the holding of a referendum ceases to have effect and no writ may be issued before the general election is held.

1978, c. 6, s. 15; 1981, c. 4, s. 6; 1999, c. 40, s. 87.

CHAPTER V

Repealed, 1995, c. 23, s. 54.

1981, c. 4, s. 7; 1995, c. 23, s. 54.

16. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 16; 1981, c. 4, s. 7; 1984, c. 51, s. 531; 1985, c. 30, s. 145; 1987, c. 28, s. 24; 1989, c. 1, s. 586; 1992, c. 38, s. 84; 1995, c. 23, s. 54.

17. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 17; 1981, c. 4, s. 7; 1984, c. 51, s. 532; 1987, c. 28, s. 25; 1989, c. 1, s. 587.

18. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 18; 1981, c. 4, s. 7; 1989, c. 1, s. 588; 1992, c. 38, s. 85.

CHAPTER VI

Repealed, 1992, c. 38, s. 86.

1992, c. 38, s. 86.

19. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 19; 1981, c. 4, s. 8; 1984, c. 51, s. 533; 1985, c. 30, s. 31, s. 145; 1992, c. 38, s. 86.

CHAPTER VII BALLOT PAPERS

20. The ballot paper is a printed paper on which is entered, in French and in English, the question put to the electors.

The ballot paper also contains a space specially and solely reserved for the mark by which the elector expresses his choice.

1978, c. 6, s. 20; 1984, c. 51, s. 534.

21. Notwithstanding section 20, the question entered on the ballot papers used in polling stations situated in an Indian reserve or in a place where an Amerind or Inuit community lives, must be drawn up in French, in English and in the language of the native majority of the place, to the extent that the returning officer may have the ballot papers printed in such language.

The returning officer shall determine which native language must be used and cause a translation of the question entered on the ballot paper to be made into such language.

1978, c. 6, s. 21.

CHAPTER VIII THE REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN

DIVISION I NATIONAL COMMITTEES

22. Upon the adoption of the text of a question or of a bill that is to be submitted to the referendum by the National Assembly, the secretary general of the Assembly must inform the chief electoral officer of it, in writing.

He shall also send to each member of the National Assembly a notice to the effect that the latter may, within five days after the adoption of the question or of the bill, register with the chief electoral officer in favour of one of the options submitted to the referendum.

1978, c. 6, s. 22; 1982, c. 62, s. 143; 1984, c. 51, s. 561; 1992, c. 38, s. 87.

23. All the members of the National Assembly who, within five days after the adoption of a question or of a bill that is to be submitted to the referendum, register with the chief electoral officer for one of the options, shall form the provisional committee in favour of such option.

Where, at the end of the period provided for in the first paragraph, no member of the National Assembly has registered in favour of one of the options, the chief electoral officer may invite not less than three nor more than twenty electors to form the provisional committee in favour of such option. Such electors must be chosen from among the persons publicly identified with such option.

The chief electoral officer shall, with the least possible delay, call a meeting of each provisional committee at the place, day and time he indicates. At such meeting, the members of each provisional committee shall adopt the by-laws to govern the national committee in favour of such option and appoint the chairman thereof.

1978, c. 6, s. 23; 1982, c. 62, s. 143; 1984, c. 51, s. 561; 1992, c. 38, s. 88; 1999, c. 40, s. 87.

24. The by-laws governing a national committee may determine any matter relating to its proper operation, including the name under which it is to be known and the manner in which it is to be established.

Such by-laws may also provide for the setting up of local authorities of this committee in each electoral division, provided that each of these authorities is authorized by the chairman of the national committee.

These by-laws must furthermore provide for the affiliation to the committee of groups which are favourable to the same option and see to the establishment of the norms, conditions and formalities governing the affiliation and financing of these groups.

1978, c. 6, s. 24; 1981, c. 4, s. 16.

24.1. Any application for affiliation to a national committee must be made within seven days after the adoption of the by-laws of the national committee.

The national committee must decide the application within seven days after the application is made.

1998, c. 52, s. 92.

25. The resolution of a provisional committee appointing the chairman of a national committee and that adopting the by-laws thereof must be certified by the signature of the majority of the members of such provisional committee. They shall take effect when they are forwarded to the chief electoral officer. They shall be replaced or amended only in accordance with the same procedure.

1978, c. 6, s. 25; 1984, c. 51, s. 561.

DIVISION II THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION

26. Not later than ten days before the holding of a poll, the chief electoral officer must send the electors a single booklet explaining each of the options submitted to the referendum, wherein the text is established by each national committee, respectively. Equal space, as fixed by the chief electoral officer, must be given in this booklet to each option.

1978, c. 6, s. 26; 1984, c. 51, s. 561.

DIVISION III

Repealed, 1992, c. 38, s. 89.

1992, c. 38, s. 89.

27. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 27; 1992, c. 38, s. 89.

28. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 28; 1982, c. 54, s. 42; 1984, c. 51, s. 535; 1984, c. 51, s. 561; 1989, c. 1, s. 589; 1992, c. 38, s. 89.

29. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 29; 1982, c. 31, s. 106; 1984, c. 51, s. 536; 1992, c. 38, s. 89.

30. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 30; 1982, c. 54, s. 43; 1984, c. 51, s. 561; 1992, c. 38, s. 89.

31. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 31; 1981, c. 4, s. 16; 1992, c. 38, s. 89.

32. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 32; 1981, c. 4, s. 10; 1984, c. 51, s. 537; 1992, c. 38, s. 89.

33. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 33; 1978, c. 15, s. 140; 1982, c. 54, s. 44; 1983, c. 55, s. 139; 1984, c. 51, s. 538; 1992, c. 38, s. 89.

34. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 34; 1981, c. 4, s. 16; 1984, c. 51, s. 539; 1992, c. 38, s. 89.

35. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 35; 1982, c. 31, s. 107; 1982, c. 54, s. 45; 1984, c. 51, s. 540; 1984, c. 51, s. 561; 1985, c. 30, s. 145; 1992, c. 38, s. 89.

DIVISION IV REFERENDUM FUND

36. The official agent, his deputy or the local agent shall not pay the cost of a regulated expense except out of a special fund called the “referendum fund” for the purposes of this Act.

1978, c. 6, s. 36.

37. Only the following amounts shall be paid into the referendum fund put at the disposal of an official agent:

(a)  the subsidy provided for in section 40;

(b)  the amounts transferred or loaned to such fund by the official representative of a political party authorized under Title III of the Election Act (chapter E-3.3), provided that the total sum of the amounts so transferred and loaned does not exceed $0.50 per elector in the aggregate of the electoral divisions;

(c)  the contributions directly paid by an elector out of his own property.

For the purposes of subparagraph b of the first paragraph, the number of electors is that provided for in section 427 of the Election Act, as amended by Appendix 2.

1978, c. 6, s. 37; 1981, c. 4, s. 16; 1984, c. 51, s. 541; 1989, c. 1, s. 590; 1992, c. 38, s. 90.

38. Only the following amounts shall be paid into the referendum fund put at the disposal of a local agent:

(a)  the amounts transferred to such fund by the official agent out of the fund contemplated in section 37;

(b)  the contributions directly paid by an elector out of his own property.

1978, c. 6, s. 38.

39. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 39; 1992, c. 38, s. 91.

DIVISION V GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY

40. The Minister of Finance shall, within three days after a writ of referendum is issued, send to the official agent of each national committee the amount of subsidy that the National Assembly may fix at the time when it adopts the text of a question or a bill that is to be submitted to the referendum. The amount of such subsidy must be the same for each of the national committees.

Where the number of electors entered on the lists of electors is used to fix the amount of the subsidy, the National Assembly may, not later than 60 days after the polling, adjust the subsidy to take account of the additional number of electors entered on the lists of electors used for the polling. The Minister of Finance shall, within three days after the date on which he is informed of this number, pay the supplementary amount of the subsidy to the official agent of each national committee.

1978, c. 6, s. 40; 1982, c. 62, s. 143; 1992, c. 49, s. 4.

CHAPTER IX CONTESTATIONS

41. Only the chairman of a national committee may apply for a recount of the votes before a judge.

Such application shall be made before the Conseil du référendum, which has exclusive jurisdiction to hear it. It must be made within 15 days after that of the polling. The application for a recount of the votes before a judge may be limited to one or several electoral divisions.

The Conseil du référendum shall receive such application only to the extent that it is of opinion that the facts alleged, were they true, would be susceptible of changing the total result of the referendum.

Where the Conseil du référendum receives an application for a recount of the votes before a judge, such recount shall be made, in each electoral division contemplated, as if the referendum had been an election, with the necessary modifications. No costs may be awarded. Even where all the ballot papers are rejected by the judge, no new referendum may be held.

1978, c. 6, s. 41; 1981, c. 4, s. 11; 1999, c. 40, s. 87.

42. Only the chairman of a national committee may, upon application made before the Conseil du référendum within fifteen days after that of the polling, contest the validity of a referendum.

The Conseil du référendum shall receive such application only to the extent that it is of opinion that the facts alleged, were they true, would be susceptible of changing the total result of the referendum.

Where the Conseil du référendum receives an application for the contestation of the validity of a referendum, that application must be tried before the Conseil du référendum, which has exclusive jurisdiction to hear it, in accordance with the provisions of Title V of the Election Act (chapter E-3.3) to the extent that they are applicable.

Where a referendum is declared invalid, a new referendum shall be held only if a new writ is issued in accordance with this Act.

1978, c. 6, s. 42; 1981, c. 4, s. 12; 1984, c. 51, s. 542; 1989, c. 1, s. 591; 1999, c. 40, s. 87.

CHAPTER X MISCELLANEOUS

43. The chief electoral officer and his personnel have with respect to the holding of a referendum powers similar to those granted to them by the Election Act (chapter E-3.3) with respect to elections.

The chief electoral officer has with respect to national committees and their agents powers similar to those granted to him by the Election Act with respect to the authorization and financing of political parties, their party authorities and representatives and with respect to the control of election expenses.

1978, c. 6, s. 43; 1981, c. 4, s. 13; 1982, c. 54, s. 46; 1984, c. 51, s. 543; 1984, c. 51, s. 561; 1989, c. 1, s. 592.

44. Except to the extent that this Act provides otherwise, every referendum shall be governed by the provisions of the Election Act (chapter E-3.3) that are in force at the time and that are enumerated in Appendix 2, with, where necessary, the amendments indicated therein.

The regulations made under the Election Act and writs made under the said Act apply, with the necessary modifications, to a referendum.

1978, c. 6, s. 44; 1981, c. 4, s. 14; 1984, c. 51, s. 544; 1989, c. 1, s. 593; 1995, c. 23, s. 55.

45. The chief electoral officer must cause a special version of the Election Act (chapter E-3.3) to be printed, striking out therefrom the sections not appearing in Appendix 2, incorporating therein the sections of the said Act appearing in the said Appendix and making the amendments indicated in the said Appendix.

In preparing the special version, the chief electoral officer may amend the titles and subtitles of the said Act.

The chief electoral officer shall also cause to be printed a special version of the regulations made pursuant to sections 549 and 550 of the Election Act.

1978, c. 6, s. 45; 1981, c. 4, s. 15; 1982, c. 54, s. 47; 1984, c. 51, s. 545; 1985, c. 30, s. 32; 1989, c. 1, s. 594; 1992, c. 38, s. 92.

46. (Repealed).

1978, c. 6, s. 46; 1982, c. 54, s. 48.

47. The chief electoral officer must make, in addition to the obligations imposed by section 45, such measures of concordance as are necessary for the carrying out of this Act, in the version of the Act contemplated in the said section.

1978, c. 6, s. 47; 1982, c. 54, s. 49; 1984, c. 51, s. 546; 1984, c. 51, s. 561; 1986, c. 61, s. 2.

48. The moneys necessary for the application of this Act shall be taken out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

1978, c. 6, s. 48.

49. (Amendment integrated into c. E-3, s. 49).

1978, c. 6, s. 49.

50. (Amendment integrated into c. E-3, s. 142).

1978, c. 6, s. 50.

51. (Amendment integrated into c. F-2, s. 83).

1978, c. 6, s. 51.

52. (Omitted).

1978, c. 6, s. 52.

53. (This section ceased to have effect on 17 April 1987).

1982, c. 21, s. 1; U. K., 1982, c. 11, Sch. B, Part I, s. 33.

APPENDIX 1

(Repealed).

1978, c. 6, Appendix 1; 1981, c. 4, s. 17.

APPENDIX 2

(Sections 44, 45)

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE HOLDING OF A REFERENDUM

ELECTION ACT (chapter E-3.3)

SECTIONS                      AMENDMENTS

  1            Replace the words “Referendum Act (chapter
               C-64.1)” in subparagraph 5 of the first
               paragraph by the words “Election Act (chapter
               E-3.3)”.

  2



  3        Replace the fourth paragraph by the following:

           “An elector who is a Member of the National Assembly
           representing an electoral division other than the
           electoral division in which he is domiciled may be
           considered to be domiciled either in the polling
           subdivision of his domicile or in the polling
           subdivision where the main office he uses as a
           Member of the National Assembly in the electoral
           division he represents is situated.”

           Replace the words “election period” in the fifth
           paragraph by the words “referendum period”.

  4

 46        Replace the first paragraph by the following
           paragraph:

           “46.  An official agent may resign by sending a
           written notice to that effect to the chairman of the
           national committee.”

           Replace the words “Within 30 days of resigning, the
           official representative shall file with the party,
           the party authority, the independent Member or the
           independent candidate” in the second paragraph by
           the words “Within 30 days of resigning, the
           official agent shall file with the national
           committee”, and the words “financial report” by
           the words “return of regulated expenses”.

           Replace the words “an authorized entity no longer has
           an official representative, another official
           representative” in the third paragraph by the words
           “a national committee no longer has an official
           agent, another official agent”.

           Replace the words “official representative or of a
           delegate” in the fourth paragraph by the words
           “official agent”.

 60        Replace the section by the following section:

           “60.  The official agent of a national committee is
           authorized to solicit and collect contributions until
           polling day.

           After polling day, the official agent is authorized
           to solicit and collect contributions only for the
           purpose of paying the debts arising from his
           regulated expenses and to dispose, in accordance with
           the second paragraph of section 441, of the sums and
           property derived from his referendum fund.”

 66        Replace the section by the following section:

           “66.  Where the chairman of a national committee
           resigns, he shall so notify the chief electoral
           officer in writing without delay.”

 87        Strike out the second paragraph.

 88        Replace the first paragraph by the following
           paragraph:

           “88.  Sums of money donated to a national committee
           and services rendered and goods furnished to it for
           the purposes of promoting an option submitted to a
           referendum are contributions.”

           Strike out subparagraphs 2 and 3 of the second
           paragraph.

           Replace subparagraph 4 of the second paragraph by
           the following subparagraph:

           “(4) a loan granted to a national committee at the
           current market rate of interest at the time it is
           granted by an authorized political party;”.

           Strike out subparagraphs 5 and 6 of the second
           paragraph.

           Replace subparagraph 7 of the second paragraph by the
           following subparagraph:

           “(7) air time on the radio or television or space in
           the newspaper, periodical or other printed matter
           available free of charge to national committees by
           any radio, television or cable broadcaster or any
           owner of a newspaper, periodical or other printed
           matter, provided he offers such service equitably as
           to quality and quantity to each national committee;”.

           Replace subparagraph 8 of the second paragraph by
           the following subparagraph:

           “(8) transfers of funds between:

           (a) an authorized party and the referendum fund of
           a national committee;

           (b) the referendum fund of a national committee and
           the referendum fund put at the disposal of a local
           agent.”

 90

 91        Replace the first paragraph by the following
           paragraph:

           “91.  The total of contributions to each national
           committee by the same elector in the same referendum
           shall not exceed the amount of $3 000.”

           Replace the words “an authorized entity” in the
           second paragraph by the words “a national committee”.

 92        Replace the first paragraph by the following
           paragraph:

           “92.  Contributions shall not be solicited except
           under the responsibility of the official agent of a
           national committee, or except through persons
           designated in writing by the official agent.”

           Replace the word “representative” in the second
           paragraph by the word “agent”.

 93        Replace the words “representative of the authorized
           entity” by the words “agent of the national
           committee”.

 94        Replace the section by the following section:

           “94.  The local agent has, for the electoral division
           for which he is appointed, the powers conferred on
           the official agent of the national committee by
           sections 92, 93 and 96.”

 95

 96        Replace the word “representative” by the word
           “agent”.

 97        Replace the words “authorized entity” by the words
           “national committee”.

 98        Replace the words “authorized entity” by the words
           “national committee”.

 99        Replace the words “authorized entity” by the words
           “official agent”.

100

104        Replace the words “representative of an authorized
           entity” by the words “agent of a national committee”.

105        Add, after the second paragraph, the following
           paragraph:

           “The principal of, and interest on, every loan must
           be paid before the return of the regulated expenses
           is sent.”

131

132        Replace the words “party authority at the level of
           the electoral division” in the first paragraph by the
           words “authority, at the level of the electoral
           division, of an authorized party represented in the National
           Assembly”.

133        Replace the word “election” by the word “referendum”.

134        Replace the words “political parties and independent
           candidates” by the words “national committees”, and
           the words “election expenses” by the words
           “regulated expenses”.

135        Replace the words “particulars that will be contained
           in” in the fourth and fifth lines by the words
           “question that will appear on”.

136

137        Replace the word “candidate” in the second paragraph
           by the words “national committee”.

           Replace the word “election” in the third paragraph
           by the word “referendum”.

138
 to
144

145        Replace the word “election” in the first paragraph by
           the word “referendum”.

146        Replace the section by the following section:

           “146.  Not later than the twenty-seventh day
           preceding polling day, the returning officer shall
           transmit to the national committees and to each
           official delegate the list of electors for the
           electoral division, the list of electors entitled
           to exercise their right to vote outside Québec
           for the division and the list of addresses for
           which no electors’ names are entered.

           The lists shall be transmitted in computerized form
           and in duplicate copies.

           For the purposes of this Act, “official delegate”
           means a person appointed as such by the chairman of
           a national committee to represent him in an electoral
           division.”

147        Replace the word “election” in the first paragraph by
           the word “referendum”.

           Replace the word “parties” in the second paragraph by
           the words “national committees”.

179
 to
181

182        Replace the section by the following section:

           “182.  The returning officer shall inform the chief
           electoral officer, the national committees and each
           official delegate of the places selected.”

183

184        Replace the section by the following section:

           “184.  The returning officer shall appoint two
           revisors not later than Wednesday of the fourth
           week preceding that of the polling.

           The first revisor shall be appointed on the
           recommendation of the official delegate of the
           national committee which has the greatest number of
           Members of the National Assembly.

           The second revisor shall be appointed on the
           recommendation of the official delegate of the
           national committee which has the second greatest
           number of Members of the National Assembly.”

186        Strike out the first paragraph.

187        Replace the words “parties represented in the 
           National Assembly” by the words “national 
           committees referred to in section 184”.

188        Replace the section by the following section:

           “188.  The revisor recommended by the national
           committee to which the greatest number of
           Members of the National Assembly belong shall act as
           vice-chairman of the board of revisors.”

189        Replace the section by the following section:

           “189.  The returning officer shall post, in his
           office, the list of revisors appointed to each board
           of revisors and shall transmit it to the chief
           electoral officer, the national committees and each
           official delegate.”

190
 to
213

214        Replace the word “election” in the third paragraph by
           the word “referendum”.

215
 to
217

218        Replace the word “candidate” in the first paragraph
           by the words “official delegate”.

227
 to
231.1

231.2      Replace the word “candidate” in the second paragraph
           by the words “official delegate”.

231.3
 to
231.13

231.14     Replace `candidate´ in the second paragraph by `official          
           delegate´.

233        Replace the word “election” by the word
           “referendum”.

248        Replace the first and second paragraphs by the
           following paragraphs:

           “248.  Every employer shall, upon written request,
           grant a leave without pay to an employee who acts as
           the chairman of a national committee or as an
           official delegate.  The request may be made at any
           time from the date of the writ instituting the
           holding of a referendum.

           The employee’s leave begins on the day requested by
           the employee and ends on the thirtieth day following
           polling day.”

249        Replace the first and second paragraphs by the
           following paragraphs:

           “249.  Every employer shall, upon written request,
           grant a leave without pay to an employee who acts as
           the official agent of a national committee.  The
           request may be made at any time from the date of the
           writ instituting the holding of a referendum.

           The employee’s leave begins on the day requested by
           the employee and ends on the ninetieth day following
           polling day.”

250

251        Replace the words “a candidate or” by the words
           “the chairman of a national committee, an official
           delegate or an”.

252
 to
255

259.1      Replace the word “election” by the word “referendum”
           and the words “an election” by the words “a
           referendum”.

259.2      Replace the word “Election” in the first and second
           paragraphs by the word “Referendum”.

259.3      Replace the word “Election” by the word
           “Referendum”.

259.4      Replace the word “election” by the word
           “referendum”.

259.5      Replace the word “election” in the first and second
           paragraphs by the word “referendum”.

259.6

259.7      Replace the words “Election” and “election” in the
           first and third paragraphs by the words “Referendum”
           and “Referendum”.

259.8      Replace the word “election” in the first paragraph
           by the word “referendum”.

           Replace the words “party or candidate concerned” in
           the first paragraph by the words “national committee
           concerned”.

           Replace the words “party, candidate” in the second
           paragraph by the words “national committee”.

259.9      Replace the words “The party, candidate” by the
           words “The national committee”.

260        Replace the section by the following section:

           “260.  Upon receipt of a copy of the writ, the
           returning officer shall publish a notice of poll.

           The notice of poll shall set forth

           (1) the text of the question put to the electors;

           (2) the days and hours of polling at advance polling
           stations;

           (3) the day and hours of polling at polling stations;

           (4) the name of every national committee and, for
           each of them, the name of the chairman and of 
           the official agent, and, for the
           division, the given name and surname of the official
           delegate and of the local agent.”

261        Replace the words “candidate or his mandatary” by the
           words “official delegate”.

262        Replace the words “candidate and each party authority
           at the level of the electoral division” in the first
           paragraph by the words “official delegate”.

263        Replace the figure “317” by the figures “310, 312 to
           317”.

264
 to
269

270        Replace the words “the candidates” by the words “each
           official delegate”.

271        Replace the words “candidate or his mandatary; the
           latter may attend and may affix their” in the third
           paragraph by the words “official delegate; he may
           attend and may affix his”.

272

273        Replace the words “general election” in the first
           paragraph by the word “referendum”.

           Replace the words “of his domicile” in the third
           paragraph by the words “where the house of detention
           is situated”.

274        Replace the words “chief electoral officer” in the
           third paragraph by the words “returning officer of
           the electoral division concerned”.

           Add, after the third paragraph, the following
           paragraph:

           “The returning officer shall ensure that the list
           remains confidential.”

275

276        Replace the words “authorized party” by the words
           “official delegate of a national committee”.

278        Replace the section by the following section:

           “278.  The returning officer referred to in section
           275 shall give the deputy returning officer a sealed
           ballot box containing the ballot papers, the list of
           electors of the house of detention, the poll book and
           the materials required for the poll.  He shall also
           give him directives on the work of the polling
           officers.”

279

280        Strike out the second paragraph.

282        Replace the section by the following section:

           “282.  The counting of the votes shall be effected in
           accordance with section 272.”

286
 to
289

290        Replace the word “candidates” by the words “official
           delegates”.

291
 to
293.4

293.5      Strike out the words “and a list of the places where
           the elector may consult the list of candidates” in
           the first paragraph.

           Strike out the words “be in the form prescribed by
           Schedule IV and shall” in the second paragraph.

296
 to
299

300        Replace the section by the following section:

           “300.  The counting of the votes of electors outside
           Québec shall be proceeded with in accordance with
           section 272, adapted as required.

           However, the counting shall be proceeded with at the
           place and time fixed by the chief electoral officer.

           The deputy returning officer shall, for each
           electoral division, draw up a statement of votes and
           an abstract from such statement that he shall deliver
           to the chief electoral officer or the person
           designated by him, together with the ballot box.

           The chief electoral officer shall forthwith
           communicate the results to each returning officer
           concerned and transmit to him the abstract from the
           statement of votes which concerns him.”

302        Replace the word “candidate” in the fifth paragraph
           by the words “official delegate”.

303
 to
305

306        Replace the words “an election” in the first
           paragraph by the words “a referendum”.

307
 to
309

310        Replace the section by the following section:

           “310.  In every polling station, the returning
           officer shall appoint, as deputy returning officer,
           the person recommended by the official delegate of
           the national committee which has the greatest number
           of Members in the National Assembly.

           He shall appoint, as poll clerk, the person
           recommended by the official delegate of the national
           committee which has the second greatest number of
           Members in the National Assembly.

           Where the two national committees have an equal
           number of Members in the National Assembly, the
           chief electoral officer shall determine, by a drawing
           of lots, which committee is deemed to have the
           greatest number of Members or, as the case may be,
           the second greatest number of Members in the National
           Assembly.”

312

312.1

313        Replace the word “candidate” in the first paragraph
           by the words “official delegate”.

           Replace the word “candidates” in the second paragraph
           by the words “official delegates”.

314

315

316        Replace the section by the following section:

           “316.  The official delegate of each national
           committee may designate a person and give him a power
           of attorney to represent the national committee
           before the deputy returning officer or the officer in
           charge of information and order, or before each of
           them.”

317        Replace the words “candidate or his mandatary” by the
           words “official delegate”.

318        Replace the words “A candidate” by the words “The
           official delegate of each national committee”.

319        Replace the words “candidate or his mandatary” by the
           words “official delegate”.

320        Strike out the words “in accordance with the model
           provided in Schedule III and” in the first paragraph.

321
 to
323

324        Replace the section by the following section:

           “324.  The ballot paper must contain on the obverse
           a space specially reserved for the wording of the
           question.”

325
 to
327

328        Replace the word “candidates” in the second paragraph
           by the words “national committees”.

329
 to
333

334        Replace the words “candidates and their mandataries”
           by the words “chairmen of national committees and
           their official delegates”.

335
 to
341

342        Replace the word “candidate” by the words “national
           committee”.

343
 to
347

348        Replace the words “then indicate to him the order in
           which the candidates appear on the ballot paper and
           the indications entered under their names, where such
           is the case” by the words “read the question and
           indicate to him the order in which the options appear
           on the ballot paper”.

349

350        Replace the word “candidate” in the first paragraph
           by the words “national committee”.

           Replace the word “election” in subparagraph 8 of the
           first paragraph by the word “referendum”, the words
           “a candidate” in subparagraph 4 of the first
           paragraph by the words “an option” and the word
           “election” in subparagraph 5 of the first paragraph
           by the word “referendum”.

351

352        Strike out the word “political” in the first
           paragraph and replace the words “a party or
           candidate” in the first paragraph by the
           words “an option submitted to a referendum”.

           Replace the words “party or candidate promoted by
           the publicity” in the second paragraph by the words
           “national committee concerned”.

353
 to
355

356        Replace the section by the following section:

           “356.  No elector may, on the premises of a polling
           station, indicate, in any manner, the option in
           favour of which he intends to vote or has voted.”

357        Replace the section by the following section:

           “357.  No official delegate, representative or
           election officer may, on the premises of a polling
           station, attempt to learn the option in favour of
           which an elector intends to vote or has voted.”

358        Replace the section by the following section:

           “358.  No official delegate, representative, election
           officer or elector who has given assistance to
           another elector may disclose the option for which
           the elector has voted.”

359        Replace the word “whom” by the words “which option”.

360        Replace the word “candidate” by the words “official
           delegate”.

361
 to
363

364        Replace the word “candidate” in subparagraph 4 of the
           second paragraph by the word “option” and the words
           “a person who is not a candidate” in subparagraph 5
           of the second paragraph by the words “an option which
           is not one of the options submitted to the
           referendum”.

365

366        Replace the words “a candidate or the representative
           of a candidate” by the words “an official delegate or
           his representative”.

366.1

367        Replace the word “candidate” in the first paragraph
           by the word “option”.

368        Replace the word “candidate” by the words “official
           delegate”.

369

370

371        Replace the words “candidate or his mandatary” in the
           first paragraph by the words “official delegate”.

           Replace the words “candidate, mandatary” in the
           second paragraph by the words “official delegate”.

372        Replace the word “candidate” in the first paragraph
           by the word “option”.

           Replace the figure “285” in the second paragraph by
           the figure “300”.

373

374

375        Replace the words “declare elected the candidate who”
           in the first paragraph by the words “announce the
           option which”.

377        Replace the words “declare elected the candidate who”
           and the word “candidate” in the first paragraph by
           the words “issue a declaration indicating the option
           which” and the words “official delegate”,
           respectively.

378        Replace the word “election” in the first paragraph by
           the word “referendum”.

379        Replace the word “election” by the word “referendum”.

380        Replace the section by the following section:

           “380.  The chief electoral officer shall, as soon as
           possible, publish a notice in the Gazette officielle
           du Québec indicating, for each electoral division,
           the number of votes for each of the options
           appearing on the ballot paper.”

381        Replace the word “election” which appears twice in
           the first paragraph by the word “referendum”.

401        Replace the section by the following section:

           “401.  For the purposes of sections 403, 415, 416,
           417 and 421, the expression “regulated expenses”
           includes expenses referred to in paragraph 10 of
           section 404 and the expression “official agent”
           includes a private intervenor within the meaning of
           Division V if the private intervenor is an elector,
           and a representative of a private intervenor if the
           private intervenor is a group of electors.”

402        Replace the section by the following section:

           “402.  The cost of any goods or services used during
           the referendum period to promote or oppose, directly
           or indirectly, an option submitted to a referendum is
           a regulated expense.”

403        Replace the words “election period” by the words
           “referendum period”.

           Replace the words “election expenses” by the words
           “regulated expenses”.

404        Replace the section by the following section:

           “404.  The following are not regulated expenses:

           (1) the cost of publishing articles, editorials,
           news, interviews, columns or letters to the editor in
           a newspaper, periodical or other publication,
           provided that they are published without payment,
           reward or promise of payment or reward, that the
           newspaper, periodical or other publication is not
           established for the purposes or in view of the
           referendum and that the circulation and frequency of
           publication are as what obtains outside the
           referendum period;

           (2) the cost at fair market value of producing,
           promoting and distributing a book that was planned to
           be put on sale at the prevailing market price
           regardless of the issue of the writ;

           (3) the cost of broadcasting by a radio or television
           station of a program of public affairs, news or
           commentary, provided that the program is broadcast
           without payment, reward or promise of payment or
           reward;

           (4) the reasonable expenses incurred by a person, out
           of his own money, for meals and lodging while
           travelling for referendum purposes, if the expenses
           are not reimbursed to him;

           (5) the transportation costs of a person, paid out of
           his own money, if the costs are not reimbursed to
           him;

           (5.1) the cost of the food and beverages served at a
           political activity where the cost is included in the
           entrance fee paid by participants;

           (6) the reasonable expenses incurred for the
           publication of explanatory commentaries on this Act
           and the regulations thereunder, provided the
           commentaries are strictly objective and contain no
           publicity of such a nature as to favour or oppose an
           option submitted to a referendum;

           (7) the reasonable ordinary expenses incurred for the
           day-to-day operations of not more than two permanent
           offices of an authorized party the addresses of which
           are entered in the registers of the chief electoral
           officer;

           (8) interest accrued from the beginning of the
           referendum period to the day occurring 90 days after
           polling day, on any loan lawfully granted to an
           official agent for regulated expenses, unless the
           official agent has declared them as regulated
           expenses in his return of regulated expenses;

           (9) the expenses incurred for the holding of
           meetings, the total of which does not exceed $600
           for the entire referendum period, including the
           renting of halls and the convening of participants,
           provided the meetings are not directly or
           indirectly organized on behalf of a national
           committee;

           (10) the publicity expenses, the total of which
           does not exceed $1,000 for the entire referendum
           period, incurred by a neutral intervenor authorized
           under Division V, without directly promoting or
           opposing an option, to advocate abstention or the
           spoiling of ballots.

           For the purposes of subparagraph 7 of the first
           paragraph, the permanent office of an authorized
           party is the office where the employees of the party
           or of a body associated with it for the purpose of
           attaining its objects and recognized by the leader of
           the party for such a purpose by a letter addressed to
           the chief electoral officer before the seventh day
           following the issue of the writ, work on a permanent
           basis, outside the referendum period, at ensuring the
           dissemination of the party’s political program and
           coordinating the political action of the party
           members.”

405        Replace the words “election expenses, an authorized
           party” in the first paragraph by the words “regulated
           expenses, a national committee”.

           Replace the second paragraph by the following
           paragraph:

           “The official agent shall be appointed by the
           chairman of the national committee who shall notify
           it to the chief electoral officer.”

           Replace the words “leader of the party” in the third
           paragraph by the words “chairman of the national
           committee”.

           Replace the words “a party” in the fourth paragraph
           by the words “a national committee”.

406        Replace the section by the following section:

           “406.  Only one official agent is appointed for each
           national committee.

           However, the official agent may, with the approval of
           the chairman of the national committee, appoint the
           required number of deputies and, for each electoral
           division, a local agent.  He shall notify the chief
           electoral officer and the returning officer thereof
           in writing.

           The official agent may authorize them to incur or
           authorize regulated expenses up to the amount he
           fixes in their deeds of appointment.  The amount may
           be changed at any time, in writing, by the official
           agent before he files his return of regulated
           expenses.

           Any regulated expense incurred by the deputy of the
           official agent or by a local agent is deemed to be
           incurred by the official agent up to the amount fixed
           in the deed of appointment.

           The deputy and the local agent shall provide the
           official agent of the national committee with a
           detailed statement of expenses incurred or authorized
           by them.”

407        Replace the first paragraph by the following
           paragraph:

           “407.  An official agent or local agent may, in
           writing, authorize an advertising agency to incur or
           order regulated expenses up to the amount he fixes
           in the authorization.  That amount may be changed, by
           the official agent or the local agent, as the case
           may be, in writing, at any time before he files his
           return of regulated expenses.”

           Insert the words “or the local agent, as the case may
           be” after the word “agent” in the second paragraph.

410        Replace the section by the following section:

           “410.  If the official agent dismisses a local agent,
           he shall notify it in writing to the returning
           officer.  He may appoint another local agent.”

411        Replace the words “an official agent” in the first
           paragraph by the words “a local agent”.

           Replace the words “an official agent” and the words
           “candidate or his mandatary” in the second paragraph
           by the words “a local agent” and the words “official
           delegate”, respectively.

412        Replace the section by the following section:

           “412.  No person may act as the official agent of a
           national committee, his deputy or a local agent
           unless he is qualified to vote.”

413        Replace the section by the following section:

           “413.  During a referendum period, only the official
           agent of a national committee, his deputy or a local
           agent may incur or authorize regulated expenses.

           However, a non-affiliated elector authorized under
           Division V may incur regulated publicity expenses
           provided that the total of the expenses for the
           entire referendum period does not exceed $1,000.”

414        Replace the section by the following section:

           “414.  An official agent, his deputy or a local
           agent shall pay the cost of regulated expenses only
           out of a referendum fund.”

415        Replace the section by the following section:

           “415.  No goods or services whose cost is wholly or
           partly a regulated expense contemplated in section
           403 may be used during a referendum period except by
           the official agent of a national committee, his
           deputy or a local agent, or with his authorization.”

416        Replace the section by the following section:

           “416.  No person may accept or execute an order for
           regulated expenses not given or authorized by the
           official agent of a national committee, his deputy,
           a local agent or authorized advertising agency.”

417        Replace the words “election expense” and “election
           period” in the first paragraph by the words
           “regulated expense” and “referendum period”,
           respectively.

421        Replace the words “an election” in the first
           paragraph by the words “a referendum”.

           Replace the words “or deputy” in the first, second
           and third paragraphs by the words “, deputy or
           local agent”.

421.1      Replace the second paragraph by the following
           paragraph:

           “Where the cost of the writing, object, material,
           advertisement or publicity referred to in section
           421 exceeds $1,000, the printer, manufacturer,
           owner or radio or television broadcaster may only
           mention or, as the case may be, indicate as the
           person having caused the writing, object, material,
           advertisement or publicity to be produced, published
           or broadcast the name and title of the official agent
           or deputy official agent of a national committee or
           of the local agent of the official agent.”

422        Replace the words “the official agents of several
           candidates”, the word “official”, and the word
           “party” by the words “several local agents”, the word
           “local” and the words “national committee”,
           respectively.

424        Replace the word “election” in the first paragraph by
           the word “regulated”.

425        Replace the first and second paragraphs by the
           following paragraphs:

           “425.  Every person to whom an amount is due for
           regulated expenses, other than expenses incurred by
           a non-affiliated elector, shall present his claim to
           the official agent or the local agent not later than
           60 days after polling day.  In no case may the
           regulated expenses be paid by the official agent or
           the local agent if the claim is presented to him
           after that period has expired.

           Where the official agent or local agent has died or
           resigned and has not been replaced, the claim shall
           be presented within the same time to the chairman of
           the national committee or to the official agent, as
           the case may be.”

426        Replace the section by the following section:

           “426.  Regulated expenses shall be limited so as
           never to exceed for a national committee, during one
           referendum, $1 per elector for all the electoral
           divisions.

           However, the national committee that represents the
           option for which the fewest non-affiliated electors
           have been authorized under section 457.6 to incur
           regulated expenses may spend an additional amount to
           50% of the difference between the expenses that
           authorized non-affiliated electors favourable to one
           option may incur and the expenses that may be
           incurred by those favourable to the other option.

           The amount is established by the chief electoral
           officer who shall draw up a certificate and transmit
           a copy to the chairman and the official agent of
           each national committee not later than the tenth day
           preceding polling day.”

427        Replace the section by the following section:

           “427.  For the purposes of section 426, the number of
           electors is the greater of the number of electors
           whose names are entered on the list of electors
           produced upon the issue of a writ instituting a
           referendum and the number of electors whose names
           are entered on the list following revision.

           The number is established by the chief electoral
           officer who shall draw up a certificate thereof and
           send a copy of the certificate to the chairman and
           the official agent of each national committee.”

429        Replace the word “election” in the first paragraph by
           the word “referendum”.

           Strike out the second paragraph.

429.1      Replace the word “election” by the word
           “referendum”.

430

431

434        Replace the first paragraph by the following
           paragraph:

           “434.  The official agent of each national committee
           and, through him, each local agent he has appointed
           shall, within 90 days after polling day, deliver to
           the chief electoral officer a return of the regulated
           expenses incurred or authorized by them.”

           Insert, after the second paragraph, the following
           paragraph:

           “The return must, in addition, indicate the name, the
           complete address of the domicile of, and the amount
           paid by, each elector whose total contribution to a
           national committee exceeds $200.”

435        Replace the word “election” and the words and figure
           “sections 432 and” by the word “regulated” and the
           word “section”, respectively.

436        Replace the words “sections 432 and” in the first
           paragraph by the word “section”.

           Replace the words “leader of the party or to the
           candidates if they so request” in the second
           paragraph by the words “chairman of the national
           committee if he so requests”.

437        Replace the section by the following section:

           “437.  In addition to regulated expenses, the
           official agent and the local agent must indicate in
           the returns prescribed in section 434 the source of
           the sums paid into the referendum fund put at their
           disposal.

           They must also indicate

           (1) the financial institutions with which the sums
           collected by the national committee have been
           deposited and the account numbers used;

           (2) the total amount of contributions of $200 or
           less;

           (3) the total amount of contributions of over $200;

           (4) the total of the amounts transferred or loaned by
           the official representative of an authorized party.”

438        Replace the words and figure “sections 432 and” in
           the first paragraph by the word “section”.

           Replace the word “election” in the second paragraph
           by the word “referendum”.

439

440        Replace the second paragraph by the following
           paragraph:

           “If the claim is not contested by the official agent,
           he shall forward to the chief electoral officer the
           necessary additional sum, out of his referendum fund,
           to enable him to discharge the claim.”

441        Replace the section by the following section:

           “441.  On filing the return prescribed by section
           434, the official agent of a national committee shall
           keep the remaining sums or goods in his referendum
           fund.

           The sums and goods may be used only for political,
           religious, scientific or charitable purposes.”

443        Replace the words “a candidate or party leader” in
           the second paragraph by the words “the chairman or
           official agent of the national committee”.

444        Replace the words “a candidate or party leader” by
           the words “the chairman or official agent of a
           national committee”.

           Strike out the figure and word “432 or”.

445        Replace the section by the following section:

           “445.  Before filing the return and declaration
           prescribed in section 434, an official agent and a
           local agent must have discharged all the claims
           received within the period prescribed in section 425
           unless they contest them and indicate them as
           contested.

           In no case may the official agent, the local agent or
           the national committee pay a claim so contested.
           Only the official agent may pay the claim in
           execution of a judgment of a competent tribunal in
           favour of the creditor after the hearing of the case
           and not upon an acquiescence in the demand or an
           agreement of settlement.

           The chief electoral officer may, if no national
           committee objects, authorize the official agent of a
           national committee to pay a contested claim if the
           refusal or failure to pay results from bona fide
           error.”

446        Insert the words “or local agent” after the word
           “agent”.

447        Replace the word “representative” and the words
           “return of election expenses” by the word “agent” and
           the words “returns of regulated expenses”,
           respectively.

448        Replace the section by the following section:

           “448.  The judge having jurisdiction to decide an
           application under sections 443 to 446 is the chief
           judge of the Court of Québec.

           No application under the first paragraph may be
           heard without a notice of at least three clear days
           to the chief electoral officer and to the chairman
           of each national committee.”

457.2      Replace the section by the following section:

           “457.2.  Only an elector or a group not endowed with
           legal personality and composed in the majority of
           natural persons who are qualified electors may apply
           for authorization as a neutral intervenor.

           Only an elector who cannot join a national committee
           may apply for authorization as a non-affiliated
           elector.

           Neutral intervenors and non-affiliated electors are
           private intervenors.”

457.3      Replace subparagraphs 3 to 6 of the first paragraph
           by the following subparagraphs:

           (3) in the case of a neutral intervenor, state
           briefly the purpose of the application and declare
           that he does not intend to directly promote or
           oppose either option;

           (4) in the case of a non-affiliated elector,
           indicate which option he intends to promote and
           state briefly why he cannot join a national
           committee;

           (5) declare that he is not associated with and has
           not contributed to either national committee;

           (6) declare that he is not acting directly or
           indirectly on behalf of either national committee;”.

           Insert, at the beginning of subparagraph 7 of the
           first paragraph, the following: “in the case of a
           neutral intervenor,”.

457.4      Replace the words “any candidate or party” at the
           end of subparagraph 5 of the first paragraph by the
           words “either option”.

           Replace subparagraph 6 of the first paragraph by the
           following subparagraph:

           “(6) state briefly the purpose of the application,”.

           Replace the words “any candidate or party” at the
           end of subparagraph 7 of the first paragraph by the
           words “either national committee”.

           Replace the words “a member of any party” at the
           end of subparagraph 8 of the first paragraph by the
           words “associated with and has not contributed to
           either national committee”.

457.5

457.6

457.7      Replace the word “election” in the first paragraph
           by the word “referendum”.

           Replace the words “a candidate” in the second
           paragraph by the words “an official delegate”.

457.8      Replace the section by the following section:

           “457.8.  Not later than the tenth day preceding
           polling day, the returning officer shall transmit
           to the national committees and to each official
           delegate a list of the authorizations which have
           been granted.

           The list shall indicate the name of each private
           intervenor, the name of the private intervenor’s
           representative, if any, and the number and date of
           the authorization.  The list shall also indicate
           whether the private intervenor is a neutral
           intervenor or a non-affiliated elector and, in
           the latter case, the option that the non-affiliated
           elector intends to promote.”

457.9      Replace the words “an election” in the first
           paragraph by the words “a referendum”.

457.10

457.11

457.12     Replace the section by the following section:

           “457.12.  A private intervenor who is an elector or
           the representative of a private intervenor may not
           join or contribute to a national committee during the
           referendum period.”

457.13     Replace the section by the following section:

           “457.13.  A neutral intervenor may not incur
           expenses that are not related to the purpose stated
           in the application for authorization or that
           directly promote or oppose either option.

           A non-affiliated elector may not incur expenses that
           do not promote the option indicated in the
           application for authorization.”

457.14
 to
457.16

457.17     Replace the figure “$25” in the first paragraph by
           the figure “$60”.

457.18
 to
457.20

457.21     Replace the words “a judge of the Court of Québec”
           in the first paragraph by the words “the Conseil du
           référendum”.

           Replace the word “court” in the third paragraph and
           the word “judge” in the last paragraph by the word
           “council”.

485        Strike out the second, third and fourth paragraphs.

486

487        Replace the section by the following section:

           “487.  In respect of the financing of national
           committees and the control of regulated expenses, he
           shall, in particular,

           (1) verify that the national committees, official
           agents and their deputies and local agents are
           complying with the provisions of the Act;

           (2) receive and examine the return of regulated
           expenses;

           (3) inquire into the legality of contributions and
           regulated expenses.”

488        Replace the words “political parties” in paragraph 4
           by the words “national committees”.

           Replace, in paragraph 5, the words “political party”
           by the words “national committee”, the word
           “candidates” by the word “committees” and the word
           “parties” by the words “national committees”.

488.1      Replace the word “election” in the first line and in
           the last line by the word “referendum” and replace
           the words “this Act” by the words “the Referendum Act
           (chapter C-64.1)”.

489.1      Replace the words “authorized parties represented in
           the National Assembly” by the words “national
           committees” and strike out the words “, the filing of
           nomination papers”.

490
           Replace the words “election period or during an
           enumeration or revision period” in the first
           paragraph by the words “referendum period”.

           Replace “authorized parties represented in the National
           Assembly” by “national committees” and “other authorized
           parties, the candidates” by “official delegates” ; 

           Strike out the words “or the end of the enumeration
           or revision” in the third paragraph.

491
 to
494

496        Strike out the first paragraph.

           In the second paragraph, change in French; no change
           necessary in English.

497

498

512

551
 to
551.4

553        Replace the word “candidate” in paragraph 3 by the
           words “national committee”.

553.1      Replace the word “election” in paragraph 1 by the
           word “referendum”.

554        Replace the word “election” in paragraph 2 by the
           word “referendum”.

           Strike out the words “of election” in paragraph 3.

555

556        Strike out paragraph 4.

556.1      Replace the words “an election” in paragraphs 1 and
           2 by the words “a referendum”.

557        Replace the word “election” by the word “referendum”.

558        Replace the words “every candidate or every person
           who later becomes a candidate” in subparagraph 1 of
           the first paragraph by the words “every official
           delegate”.

           Replace the words “a candidate” in subparagraph 2 of
           the first paragraph by the words “an option”.

           Replace the word “election” in subparagraph 1 of
           the second paragraph by the word “regulated”.

           Replace the words “the election of a candidate at
           an election” in subparagraphs 1 and 2 of the second
           paragraph by the words “an option submitted at a
           referendum”.

559        Insert, after the word “agent”, the words “or any
           local agent”.

           Replace the word “election” in paragraph 1 by the
           word “regulated”.

559.1      Replace the words “an election” in paragraph 1 by
           the words “a regulated”.

560        Replace the words “candidate or party leader” by the
           words “chairman or official delegate of a national
           committee” and the word “election” by the word
           “regulated”.

563        Replace the section by the following section:

           “563.  Every person who fails to file a report or
           return of regulated expenses or the report referred
           to in section 457.18 is liable to a fine of $50 for
           each day of delay.”

564        Replace the section by the following section:

           “564.  Every person who contravenes any of sections
           66, 87, 90 to 93, 95 to 97, 99, 100, 104, 105, 410,
           413 to 417, 421, 421.1, 422, 424, 429, 429.1, 457.9
           and 457.11 to 457.17 is liable to a fine of $500 to
           $10,000.”

565

566

567        Strike out the following in the first paragraph: “,
           in paragraph 4 of section 556”.

           Replace the word “election” in the second paragraph
           by the word “regulated” and insert after the word
           “agent” the words “or the local agent”.

568        Strike out the second paragraph.

568.1

569        Replace the words “Such proceedings” in the second
           paragraph by the words “Proceedings are instituted
           before the Court of Québec.  They”.

570        Replace the words “an election” in the first
           paragraph by the words “a referendum”.

571
 to
573

SCHEDULE II 
           Strike out “, 481, 499, 509, 529, 534”.

           Replace “Election Act (Revised Statutes of Québec, chapter E-3.3)” by
           “Referendum Act”.

1978, c. 6, Appendix 2; 1980, c. 6, ss. 1-19; 1979, c. 71, s. 170; 1981, c. 4, ss. 18-23; 1982, c. 31, ss. 108-117; 1982, c. 58, s. 24; 1982, c. 54, ss. 50-51; 1982, c. 62, s. 143; 1983, c. 54, ss. 32-33; 1984, c. 51, s. 547, s. 561; 1985, c. 30, s. 33, s. 34, s. 145; 1987, c. 68, s. 69; 1988, c. 21, s. 66; 1989, c. 1, s. 595; 1990, c. 4, s. 967; 1992, c. 38, s. 93; 1995, c. 23, s. 56; 1997, c. 8, s. 22; 1998, c. 52, s. 94; 1999, c. 15, s. 30; 1998, c. 52, s. 94; 1999, c. 40, s. 87.

REPEAL SCHEDULE

In accordance with section 17 of the Act respecting the consolidation of the statutes and regulations (chapter R-3), chapter 6 of the statutes of 1978, in force on 1 June 1979, is repealed effective from the coming into force of chapter C-64.1 of the Revised Statutes.

Appendix 2 to this Act will be amended upon the coming into force of paragraphs 3 and 4 of section 94 of chapter 52 of the statutes of 1998 on the date or dates fixed by order of the Government.