Thank you for the invitation to speak with you today. This is my first time at PROC, so it's a real privilege.
The pandemic has re-engaged Canadians. During this extended emergency, 36% are now more confident in Canada’s institutions. Trust in one another and the government has also gone up. This positivity during a tremendously difficult time indicates that Canadians can be asked to take on a challenge, and should be given a more central role in designing the post-pandemic society. To do so, they will need more mechanisms to contribute. Strengthened community ties, clear messaging and flexibility with election administration can make the difference.
My name is Sabreena Delhon, I am the open democracy fellow with the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Open Democracy Project and Massey College. I'm here on behalf of DemocracyXChange, which is Canada’s annual democracy summit.
The following recommendations have been informed by the DemocracyXChange community, current research about democratic engagement and the understanding that the health and safety of Canadians exercising their right to vote is paramount to a strong democracy. This material has also been shaped by the fact that the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on low-income and racialized communities, long-term care home residents, front-line workers and incarcerated individuals. Across these categories, women are bearing the brunt of adverse outcomes. These groups are also most likely to face barriers to casting a ballot.
I'd like to acknowledge the recent “Special Report of the Chief Electoral Officer”. It presents a range of measures to effectively administer an election during a pandemic. These include increasing the number of voting days, holding the election over a weekend and preparing for a major increase in mail-in ballots. We enthusiastically support approaches that will provide a safe and efficient experience for voters.
Now, our recommendations. First, work with a range of community-based organizations that focus on engaging voters over specific issues or demographic variables. The work of groups like Future Majority and The Canadian Muslim Vote are of note here. These groups can help to prepare people for the experience of voting and the process of obtaining and submitting a mail-in ballot and can also help to manage expectations related to the counting process. These groups can also reinforce messaging related to physical distancing and other precautions.
We know that the pandemic has affected different groups in different ways. For instance, students may not be able to vote on campus, so they will require targeted outreach to clarify where to vote and how. Coordinating with community groups, non-profits and other entities will be key to disseminating crucial information about process and precaution to distinct populations.
Throughout the pandemic, community organizers have demonstrated incredible ingenuity. Their knowledge and relationships are key to connecting people in a manner that makes voting relevant and appealing. Organizations like Apathy is Boring and Democratic Engagement Exchange can serve as a bridge between innovative community groups and the electoral process.
We understand that Elections Canada hires community relations officers for this outreach function. We advise that officers be hired well in advance of the writ period so that outreach to stakeholders can be actioned quickly. We feel this is foundational to ensuring engagement and that it would be worth making legislative adjustments to accommodate.
Second, ensure that key messages acknowledge realistic fears and emphasize that voting is easy and safe. It is critical to counter the American narrative that registering to vote and voting are onerous. Research shows that first-time and frequent voters overestimate how difficult and time consuming the voting process is. The fact is, for the vast majority of eligible voters, it is very easy. This needs to be conveyed clearly, along with the fact that there are different ways to vote to suit your needs and circumstances. Another point is to emphasize the identity of being a voter above the act of voting. Research has shown that this has a positive effect on engagement. This can be built upon by calling or texting individuals to support the creation of a voting plan.
Third, consider lowering the voting age from 18 to 16, and making voting part of the secondary school curriculum. This demographic is highly engaged in social issues but feels disconnected from traditional forms of democratic engagement. As the pandemic will have a considerable impact on future generations, their input going forward should be harnessed.
We are willing to partner to help support a safe, effective and inclusive election should the committee see a role for us.
Thank you very much for your attention, and I’m pleased to answer any questions you might have.