Procedure and House Affairs Committee on Nov. 5th, 2020

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

I would be worried, yes.

[Kirsty Duncan, Liberal, Etobicoke North, ON]

Thank you both very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thank you.

Next we have Madame Normandin for two and a half minutes, please.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you.

Dr. Shahab, I want to address something that you said. You stated that public confidence is one of the important criteria in holding an election. In the United States, and here too, we see that people in the city often vote differently from people in the regions. There may be outbreaks in the cities, which could cause people to be afraid and to vote in smaller numbers. In contrast, people in rural areas may vote in greater numbers because they're less afraid.

Have you considered this scenario?

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

Certainly, I think if there was a big difference between case rates in different parts of the province, that might impact how many people choose to vote by mail or how many people turn out. That could have an impact.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Dr. Russell, what do you think?

[Dr. Jennifer Russell]

It's hard to say, because there wasn't any outbreak at that time. Granted, people living in rural areas may behave differently in this situation. Dr. Shahab clearly stated that it was possible to vote by mail.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Thank you.

I want to hear your comments on the situation in seniors' residences and long-term care facilities. I know that documents will be submitted. However, I want to know whether the measures were stricter in long-term care facilities and residences, and whether more staff were required.

[Dr. Jennifer Russell]

People in long-term care facilities were only able to vote by mail because we didn't want to increase the risks.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Dr. Shahab, would you like to add anything?

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

As Dr. Werker described, there was certainly a need for more coordination, and I would estimate that Elections Saskatchewan did have to have more staff available for that process.

[Christine Normandin, Bloc, Saint-Jean, QC]

Dr. Shahab, I gather that the health rules were stricter at long-term care facilities than at polling stations. Is that right?

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

Yes, but we already used to do that during influenza outbreaks, so the process was established. It was just done more methodologically for all long-term care facilities, irrespective of outbreaks of influenza or COVID.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thank you, Dr. Shahab.

We have Mr. Blaikie for two and a half minutes.

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

Dr. Russell, in your opinion, does a longer writ period contribute to being able to better deliver an election that is safe from a public health point of view?

[Dr. Jennifer Russell]

I can't really see the length of time of the writ period affecting the safety of an election with respect to the public health measures that would be in place throughout.

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

Okay.

Dr. Shahab, I know you have answered this question already. You put an emphasis on the importance of pre-election activities. I'm wondering, in the event of a snap election, whether a longer writ period, in your opinion, would help mitigate any challenges that might arise from not knowing in advance when the election would begin.

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

It's hard to say. I think whatever the writ period is, all activities must be safe, and even before the writ.

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

Okay. Thank you both very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Thank you. We have about 10 more minutes of questioning.

Next we have Mr. Doherty and then Mr. Drouin. Then we have Ms. Elizabeth May, who joined us for this meeting a while ago. Since we have a little bit of time, I was wondering if everybody would be okay if we gave Ms. May a round at the end as well.

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

We'll move on with Mr. Doherty right now for five minutes.

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

Mr. Shahab and Ms. Werker, could you please table with this committee your door-to-door voting protocols?

[Dr. Denise Werker]

These are not our protocols. They are the Elections Saskatchewan's protocols.

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

Yes.

Dr. Russell?