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

[Dr. Jennifer Russell]

It's the same as Saskatchewan. The protocols are part of Elections New Brunswick. We provided advice in writing, in terms of our public health advice, but their operational plans and protocols were set by them.

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

Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Justin, correct me if I'm wrong. I think we have already asked for those protocols from Elections New Brunswick and Elections Saskatchewan.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Mr. Justin Vaive]

Madam Chair, I believe that is correct. The information that was asked for.... That that type of information was also requested of them.

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

My next question is directed to Dr. Shahab and Dr. Russell.

Do you believe that in-person polling locations were safe for people to vote in person?

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

Yes.

[Dr. Jennifer Russell]

Yes.

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

Dr. Werker, it's the same question.

[Dr. Denise Werker]

Yes.

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

I think this question has been asked a number of times in different ways, but I just want to confirm. What measures were taken by the public health office, the ministers of health, and Elections Saskatchewan and Elections New Brunswick to convey a message to the electors that voting in person was a safe option?

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

My understanding, and actually I did see many of those ads—print, media, social media and other media—about Elections Saskatchewan detailing all of the processes and how it's safe to vote in person, but also...the opportunity to vote by mail.

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

Do you have any anecdotal evidence of any complaints in Saskatchewan at polling stations?

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

I'm not aware.

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

I'm just going through my notes. I think you both have gone through everything.

I'll yield the floor, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ruby Sahota]

Mr. Drouin, go ahead.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

At the risk of repeating myself, I also want to thank you. I certainly watched all of you operate in your own provinces. Even though I'm from Ontario, it's in all of our interests to see all Canadians do well and succeed and be healthy.

I'm interested in the governance and how the relationship with Elections New Brunswick.... Perhaps I could start with you, Dr. Russell. I know the writ was dropped on August 17. That's just the fact. I'm wondering whether Elections New Brunswick reached out to you prior to the writ being dropped, or whether they reached out to you on the 17th and said, “Oops, now that we have an election coming, how do we prepare to make sure we can have safe elections?”

[Dr. Jennifer Russell]

They did reach out ahead of time, but I don't know how far in advance.

Again, I think the idea of the safety of elections in terms of public health advice.... With each phase of our recovery and with each new onset of different things that were going to be opening, we would take on that as a chunk of work. When it was time to work on the schools, we had all of the guidance documents ready for how to have school open safely. For elections, that was just another piece of that work.

They definitely reached out to us in August; I just don't know the exact date.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Would there have been a lot of back-and-forth? Would Elections New Brunswick propose a plan and then you would provide your input?

Dr. Shahab said there should perhaps be more polling locations. Is that something your organization advised on as well?

[Dr. Jennifer Russell]

My understanding is that there was a lot of back-and-forth and input. We gave them our advice, and then they came back to us with their operational plan, and then we helped them improve that operational plan to make it as safe as possible.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Thank you.

Dr. Shahab, I would ask the same question of you.

With Saskatchewan, were you involved before the writ was even dropped to provide advice on elections?

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

Yes. We had a strong relationship with Elections Saskatchewan for prior elections and by-elections. Our first contact was made at the end of February, when we knew there would be an election in 2020, likely in October, and we worked closely together.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

My colleague Mr. Lukiwski touched on this. You had convened the two major parties. I know that hindsight is 20/20, but would you advise—if Elections Canada does provide advice to parties—to ensure that all parties are at the table to make sure they have the same information and can practise healthy and safe elections?

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

The table was convened by the CEO of Elections Saskatchewan, but yes, I think opening that for all political parties can only be of benefit.

[Francis Drouin, Liberal, Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON]

Thank you.

I have one final question.

Public Health Canada is probably going to be giving the advice to Elections Canada, but Public Health Canada flies at 10,000 feet.

Would you welcome input from each of your own provinces on how to conduct safe elections even though they may be federal?

[Dr. Saqib Shahab]

I think input and support would likely be required with the coordination of all public health jurisdictions: federal, provincial and, of course, local.