Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault yesterday said he was never told of a cabinet plan to rewrite the Elections Act to guarantee pensions for 28 Liberal and New Democrat MPs. Perrault confirmed he attended secret meetings with political aides from the two parties but said the pension question was never raised.

“I did not know what would be in Bill C-65,” Perrault testified at the House affairs committee. “I did not participate in meetings regarding the entire bill. I had discussions on the elements.”

Bill C-65 An Act To Amend The Canada Elections Act would extend the October 20, 2025 fixed date of the next general election for one week, enough to guarantee pensions for two dozen Liberal and New Democrat MPs otherwise ineligible for benefits. The pension currently averages $77,900 a year under the Members Of Parliament Retiring Allowa