e-4938 (Democratic process)

The Government of Canada is pleased to respond to this petition.

Bill C-65, the Electoral Participation Act, proposes a broad suite of amendments to the Canada Elections Act that would build on the Government’s work to encourage participation in the electoral process, enhance the protection of personal information, and further safeguard the electoral process.

With respect to supporting participation in the electoral process, the bill sets out among other measures, two additional days of advance polling, improvements to vote by mail (special ballots), legislating the Vote on Campus program, and making it easier for electors in long-term care and electors requiring assistance to vote.

Bill C-65 also proposes a one-time change to the date of the next fixed-date general election so that the election does not conflict with Diwali, a major five-day holiday celebrated widely by many South Asian communities across Canada. The Government considered a number of alternative dates. However, identifying a date suitable for a general election, absent any religious, cultural, or other conflict, is challenging. In this context, October 27 was determined to be a day which better promoted participation.

Going forward, to account for Canada’s diversity, Bill C-65 is also proposing improvements to the current legislated process to give the Chief Electoral Officer more discretion to recommend an alternate polling day should the fixed-date general election date prescribed in the Canada Elections Act be deemed not suitable, including by reason of it conflicting with a day of cultural or religious significance or a provincial or municipal election.

Bill C-65 is currently going through the legislative process in the House of Commons for further examination of issues such as those raised in this petition. As always, the Government remains open to the will of Parliament.