I start from the premise that voter turnout is a problem mainly during by-elections. With respect to general elections, consider the statistics since 1896: the voter turnout rate has been relatively stable. Moreover, declining voter participation rates is a major trend that has been observed internationally and in the western world.
We therefore do not think that the provisions of this bill will counter... There are other solutions. Let me give you one example. We acted quickly in response to requests from seniors by allowing them to vote in their place of residence or by setting up revisal offices and polling stations in senior centres.
We complain about voter turnout among young people. For a significant number of months, students often live in university and college dorms. Why not require Elections Canada, for a much lesser cost than what this bill would entail, to set up revisal offices and special polling stations that would allow a student from Sept-Îles who attends Laval University to vote in his riding of Sept-Îles by way of a special vote during the advanced poll period? In my opinion, such measures would bring young people closer to the electoral process.
We moved quickly to correct the situation for seniors. However, we continue to complain about the low voter turnout among the young, even though we have taken no practical, simple or concrete steps to allow them to exercise their right to vote.