Evidence of meeting #7 for Procedure and House Affairs in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was voters.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Anton Boegman  Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC
Michael Boda  Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Saskatchewan
Clerk of the Committee  Mr. Justin Vaive

11:20 a.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

I just have to say that as a British Columbian, I felt very safe, and so did our family and our neighbours. I talked with your employees at the polling stations, and they all felt very safe. There were no complaints.

11:20 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

Anton Boegman

Thank you.

11:20 a.m.

Conservative

Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC

I think those are my questions, so thank you.

11:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Ruby Sahota

Thank you.

Dr. Duncan, you have six minutes.

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you to our witnesses for joining us today. We appreciate your time, your experience and your expertise.

I have many questions, so I am looking for short answers, most often a yes or no.

I'll start with Mr. Boegman, please.

Can you table with the committee how many safety audits you passed, please?

11:25 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

Anton Boegman

We have three that I'm aware of that we passed.

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Thank you.

Can you table with the committee what that safety audit looked like, or just the categories, please?

11:25 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

Anton Boegman

I don't have the reports in front of me, but they—

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Could you table them?

11:25 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

Anton Boegman

I could, yes.

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Thank you. That's fine.

We understand that there were provincial health guidelines for the election to keep each community's candidate, staff and volunteers safe during the election. Would you be willing to table that guidance with the committee, please—yes or no?

11:25 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Thank you so much.

Did local health units provide any additional guidance? Again, I'm looking for a yes-or-no answer, please.

11:25 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Thank you.

Could you table with the committee the circumstances, please?

11:25 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

Anton Boegman

The circumstances were in relation to voting in acute care hospitals and health care-run care homes.

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Thank you. That leads right into my next question. I appreciate that.

Could you table with the committee the recommendations you made to ensure the health and safety of B.C. residents and staff of long-term care homes while ensuring their right to vote, please?

11:25 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

Anton Boegman

Yes, I'd be pleased to do so.

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Thank you so very much.

Was there public health guidance for other congregate settings beyond long-term care?

11:25 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

Anton Boegman

Not specifically, no.

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Okay. Thank you so much.

Could you table a comparison of the guidance for a usual election side by side with the guidance for this election? Answer yes or no, please.

11:25 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Thank you so much. This is so helpful.

Could you table what health and safety measures were put in place at the polling stations for election day? Answer yes or no, please.

11:25 a.m.

Chief Electoral Officer, Elections BC

11:25 a.m.

Liberal

Kirsty Duncan Liberal Etobicoke North, ON

Did you have the same number of polling stations as usual?

Answer yes or no, please.