Thank you, Alim.
Thank you, committee members, for having us here today.
Bill C-65 includes several measures to ensure that more Canadians have access to participate in the electoral process. It is of crucial importance to our democracy to work towards eliminating obstacles to Canadians participating in elections.
As a nation that proudly professes to benefit from a multicultural society, we must modernize our democratic institutions to reflect and respect this. When barriers to democracy are identified, progressive societies rectify them.
Rightfully, polling stations must be accessible. Voting options must be broader to accommodate the working populace. Such is the way of a modern society that respects the voice of the people who comprise it. Ensuring that a general election is not held on Diwali is a significant step toward this.
As of 2024, 2.3 million Canadians reported as South Asian in ethnicity. India was the top source for immigrants to Canada between 2016 to 2021. These statistics also do not include the growing Indo-Caribbean community in Canada.
The Indo-Caribbean Canadian Association endorses the proposal to move the set election date so as to not conflict with Diwali. In many Caribbean countries, such as Guyana and Trinidad, Diwali and other religious dates, such as Eid and Christmas, are national holidays.
We are not calling for that today, but we believe our government should recognize the massive significance of Diwali and make it so that Canadians who observe this religious occasion do not have to choose between practising their religion and their democratic right to vote. It is important to note that this barrier is not limited to voters, but holding an election on Diwali or any major cultural or religious date is unfair to candidates, campaign staff, political organizers, volunteers, supporters and election staff who observe said occasion.
During the Ontario municipal elections held on Diwali in 2022, the City of Brampton had to implement measures to address—