(OTTAWA, December 7, 2001) — The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Jean-Pierre Kingsley, announced today the launch of the Web module dedicated to the Federal Representation 2004 project. The Web module, easily accessible through the Elections Canada Web site (www.elections.ca), contains a General Information section as well as a Media section.

These two sections provide detailed background information on the process of federal redistribution in Canada. The General Information section includes information about the readjustment of federal electoral boundaries, a link to the legislation, a calendar of upcoming events regarding redistribution, and frequently asked questions about the redistribution process. The Media section includes news releases, media advisories as well as statements and speeches.

Representation in the House of Commons is readjusted after each decennial (10-year) census to reflect changes and movements in Canada’s population in accordance with the Constitution Act, 1867, and the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act (1985, as amended). The redistribution process begins when the Chief Statistician prepares and sends the certified census return to the Minister designated for the purposes of the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, as well as to the Chief Electoral Officer. The Chief Statistician has confirmed that the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada will receive the census return on March 12, 2002.

Elections Canada is the non-partisan agency responsible for the conduct of federal elections and referendums.