Evidence of meeting #81 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was election.
A video is available from Parliament.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
There was an order in council. I was ordered to issue the writs.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
All right. Thank you for that. I appreciate that.
I next want to turn my attention to the voting process. I find it interesting and frankly appreciate the fact that you now have a fast lane. It's almost like the NEXUS lane in an airport.
How did this come about? Is this just something that you've observed over time and have already planned? This is the first time I've heard of it. I think it's a good move, frankly, but I'm wondering if you could give me some background on how this decision came about.
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
It is something that we've been looking at for quite some time. In fact, we would have liked to do more for this GE. Due to lack of time and other factors we could not do more, but at least we're introducing some small administrative changes that will expedite electors who are ready to vote and segregate those who are in need of special exceptions. The staffing will be done accordingly.
Again, we hope that for the vast majority of electors it will be quick and they will not be delayed by other electors who are not ready. Those electors who are not ready will be treated in a separate channel. We will build in some procedures to improve and to ensure quality assurance with regard to the safeguards that need to be applied for those exceptions.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
What do you anticipate in terms of additional staffing requirements because of this? Is it minimal?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
Because of this, it's minimal, I think, but I don't want to mislead the committee. There will be an increase in staff generally to deal with the fallout of the Neufeld Etobicoke report. We're adding staff to make sure that the procedures are handled properly and that there is proper supervision at the polls.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
We might get into that a little later in terms of costs.
On the procedures, you're talking about trying to increase the efficiency of the operations of voting. Do you have any thoughts about introducing what's commonly known as the “New Brunswick model”?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
We're moving in that direction with some of the changes we're doing right now, and certainly it's a model that we've looked at closely. In fact, we have built a model for a federal election based on, among other things, the New Brunswick model. It is something that I would have liked to pilot during the GE. Unfortunately, for all sorts of other reasons, it could not be done but it is something that we'll bring back to Parliament after the election for sure. We need to redesign our voting process.
Conservative
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
Lastly, I know you sent a document to our offices earlier, but can you give us a quick overview on the information to voters pre-election, on what the plan is to try to educate voters as to where and when, and perhaps more salient information about the election itself, to hopefully get a turnout that's a little better?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
As we get closer to the election, but before the issuance of the writs, you will see a new website appearing that will be focused on the election and all the changes for electors. We will also do a bit of pre-writ advertisement or outreach, particularly to those who are less likely to be registered. The focus there will be on promoting online registration.
We will be working with various non-partisan NGOs to share information with their constituents, if I can use that expression, to inform them about the requirements for ID, the requirements for registration, and their options in terms of voting and registering.
Conservative
Tom Lukiwski Conservative Regina—Lumsden—Lake Centre, SK
Are any other formal media being utilized—television, radio, print ads—to try to better inform?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
It will be done during the election. We will increase our mainstream media advertisements during the election to help inform electors about the changes.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Joe Preston
Thank you, Mr. Lukiwski.
We'll go to Madam Latendresse, please, for seven minutes.
Alexandrine Latendresse NDP Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Mr. Mayrand, this is interesting, and I will also talk about your promotion activities for voter registration. In the document you submitted to prepare us for today's meeting, various organizations with which you have established relations to this purpose are listed. I think this is quite interesting and very important.
I would like to ask you a question about homeless people. The document you gave us does not provided the names of the groups you have established connections with.
Could you tell me why? Do you plan on changing that?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
Community relations officers mostly work specifically on establishing relations with authorities that administrate homeless centres, across the country, from riding to riding.
NDP
Alexandrine Latendresse NDP Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Okay.
Do you think some contracts will be concluded with those organizations?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
That's certainly a possibility we could consider should the situation arise. This is not really a closed list. Our objective is to reach those who are most likely to face obstacles to their right to vote.
NDP
Alexandrine Latendresse NDP Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Regarding disabled individuals, when we studied Bill C-23, a number of groups that came to testify talked about the accessibility of polling stations and some of Elections Canada's offices.
You mentioned in your presentation that offices will be rented before September 1. Is there any special emphasis on those offices' accessibility?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
A number of measures have been introduced for accessibility in general. What is new when it comes to polling stations is that we will try to exceed the legislated minimum standard—in other words, level access. In cooperation with disabled communities, we have established 35 criteria each of those stations must meet to the extent possible to ensure accessibility.
We have evaluated 22,000 stations in Canada based on those criteria. The results are available on the website. In general, voters will be given information on each station's level of accessibility through their voter card. Someone with accessibility issues could check whether the criteria they need have been met. If they have not, that individual could contact the returning officer to find an alternative and make arrangements
We think this is a significant improvement. We will see how things go during the election.
NDP
Alexandrine Latendresse NDP Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
Thank you.
As things currently stand, what would be the biggest challenges for Elections Canada if the election was to take place before October 19?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
In principle, we are ready to hold an election. Of course, we would like to use all the time we can—up until September. Returning officers were appointed and were trained this past winter. The material is complete and, in many cases, it has already been printed. For example, the set part of the voter card is already being printed. We are very advanced in our preparations. So we would be prepared to hold an election at any time.
NDP
Alexandrine Latendresse NDP Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC
I do not doubt that. We saw during the last general election and a minority government that it can always be done
Be that as it may, do you think some challenges would be more difficult to face than if the election date was set?
Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada
Some challenges would be more difficult to face. During the second hour, we will discuss the pending bill, which could be a challenge.
We expect to complete our preparations by July 1. Over the next few weeks, we will mostly be testing our computer systems. They have undergone many changes, and we continue to carry out tests to ensure that they can successfully manage any type of situation and provide the results everyone will be expecting the evening of the election.
NDP