In order to inform them, we set up kiosks on campuses across the country. We send out electronic notices to the student associations. The report mentions that there were 600 community relations officers on campuses during the last election. We have a specific information campaign that targets students on campuses. But the process remains rather unclear. I understand that students would like to be able to vote on campus. But the legislation sets out that only students who live on campus can vote there. The others must go to the polling station that they are assigned to under the Election Act.
There is another problem with young people that brings me back to the issue of the identification card. Often, most young people who are living away from home and studying in various campuses have documents that establish their place of residency as the home riding, if I can use that expression. They have a driver's licence, but this does not indicate their residence on campus. For example, instead of mentioning the riding of Vanier, it will indicate Moncton as the place of residence.
This is a problem for young people. They have few documents showing their current place of residence while they are on campus. One of the measures we implemented for those living on a university campus was to accept a letter of certification from the university authorities in order to establish their address. If they have a driver's licence that shows Moncton, but a letter of certification for their residence in Vanier or on campus, they may vote on campus.
This does not solve the problem of the many students who do not live on campus or who are simply renting an apartment. The certification process to establish residency is not available to them. In the report, I state that for certain voters, we must consider accepting the voter's card as one piece of identification proving residence. It would be particularly useful for young people who registered before election day.