Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Oct. 29th, 2020

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thank you.

Monsieur Therrien, you have two and a half minutes.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Ms. Henry, I'm going to come back to the matter of telephone and postal voting.

I've been involved in a number of election campaigns, and from time to time, political parties or candidates would contact us to say that their vote had been stolen. In other words, someone else had voted in their stead.

Clearly, mistakes can happen, but did you receive any such complaints from people who had voted by telephone or by mail? Did you receive more complaints than usual about that?

[Dr. Bonnie Henry]

I think, Mr. Therrien, you need to ask Elections BC that question. I provide public health advice about how to do it safely. The running of the election is the responsibility of Elections B.C.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

I understand, but wouldn't it be helpful to know that sort of thing? You provide advice to returning officers, after all.

This is a unique situation, and tests are being carried out to determine which methods are most appropriate. Wouldn't that information help you to ascertain whether the methods being used were appropriate and find ways to improve them if they weren't?

[Dr. Bonnie Henry]

Absolutely. If there were concerns that because of health reasons there was an increase in voter fraud, then Elections BC would let me know that, but I have no indication of that from this election.

[Alain Therrien, Bloc, La Prairie, QC]

Perhaps we can assume that is not the case, since they haven't brought it to your attention. It's not something you check automatically. It's not information you ask for. Is that correct?

[Dr. Bonnie Henry]

No, the safe running of elections and election fraud.... My job was the health aspects of the safe running of elections. Elections BC is very focused on making sure that everybody can vote, that their right to vote is protected, and that voter fraud is detected and managed.

I can certainly ask the question of Elections BC, but I have no indication that there was any increase or change or any concerns around voter fraud.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thank you.

Mr. Blaikie, you have two and a half minutes.

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Thank you very much.

I wanted to ask you both for your opinions on what the public health impacts or risks are of spontaneous or snap election beginnings, as opposed to having more certainty around the windows within which an election might begin. Does that make no difference at all in terms of public health risks, or does it present additional challenges beyond the types of challenges you would expect with a fixed election date?

[Dr. Bonnie Henry]

Let me start by saying that we were very aware early on that we had a minority legislature in B.C., so we were prepared. We had a minority both provincially and federally, as you know, so we had prepared early on. In theory, we have fixed election dates for British Columbia, but recognizing that with a minority government elections could happen at any time meant that we needed to prepare.

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

In the opinion of the Public Health Agency of Canada, are there any additional risks or challenges posed by uncertainty about when an election might begin, as opposed to a context where there is certainty?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

I have to tell you, it strikes me as more of a logistical challenge from an Elections Canada point of view, but in light of the preparedness work they have done, in light of the experience that has been gained in a couple of by-elections in Toronto and by our provincial colleagues, I think it's entirely feasible, although I'm sure it will be a challenge.

[Daniel Blaikie, NDP, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

I think we've heard pretty clearly in the testimony that there's an onus on the part of elections officials and public health officials to be ready for an election if political circumstances produce one. I'm wondering if, in your opinion, there's any onus in the other direction, particularly in a minority Parliament context, for politicians to be aware of the public health context and whether that should inform their behaviour or not.

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

I would say that we expect our public leaders, our public politicians, our MPs, our elected officials to always, whenever possible, exemplify the kinds of behaviours that we are encouraging Canadians to take.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thank you, Dr. Raymond.

Next, for five minutes, we have Mr. Doherty.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

First, I want to say thank you to our guests who are here today.

Dr. Henry, as a fellow British Columbian, I am very proud of the leadership that you have shown from day one during this pandemic. I know it hasn't been easy on you. I am sure that your measured approach is owed to your military background. I've had the opportunity to speak publicly in the House about your leadership, and I just want to take this opportunity before we start to give a heartfelt thank you.

Our province has weathered the storm to this point. We are obviously undergoing a second wave here, but I think British Columbians owe a debt of gratitude to you and the work you've done. You've communicated very well and in a measured approach. Thank you.

Dr. Raymond, I have a question for you. We have petitioned Dr. Tam as a witness. Are you appearing on behalf of Dr. Tam?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

I am appearing on behalf of the Public Health Agency of Canada, which would be Dr. Tam as well.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Should we expect to see Dr. Tam before the committee, or is your appearance going to be the only one we get?

[Dr. Barbara Raymond]

I am not sure, but I think I might be as good as it gets.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Dr. Henry, was it your testimony that this was the lowest voter turnout that we've seen as a province?

[Dr. Bonnie Henry]

That's what I understand, yes. It was 52% or something like that, which I was actually surprised at, given the number of people who went to advanced polls and the number of mail-in ballots that were received.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Was it your testimony that the premier didn't consult you before he called the election, or did you have any advance notice?

[Dr. Bonnie Henry]

I did not have any advance notice.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

If you had—and I know you said that it's not your position to provide advice—would you have advised against it?

[Dr. Bonnie Henry]

It is not my position to provide advice around those issues. My sole focus is to ensure that we can carry out the necessary functions that we have in our democracy in a safe way.