Press Releases

REVISION PROCESS BEGINS FOR THE FEDERAL BY-ELECTION IN PORT MOODY–COQUITLAM

(OTTAWA, February 25, 1998) – The revision process for the Monday, March 30, 1998 federal by-election in the riding of Port Moody–Coquitlam begins today, Wednesday, February 25, 1998, Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, announced today. Revision is the process used by Elections Canada to update the preliminary list of electors and the National Register of Electors.

During the 28-day revision period, electors in Port Moody–Coquitlam can contact the office of the returning officer to update several kinds of important information. Revision ends on Tuesday, March 24, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. Pacific time.

"The creation of the National Register of Electors last year means that most electors in Port Moody–Coquitlam are already registered to vote," said Mr. Kingsley. "But if you have moved within the riding or changed your name since last year's federal general election, you can make corrections to your address or name by telephoning the office of the returning officer."

Residents of Port Moody–Coquitlam can vote in this by-election if they are Canadian citizens, are at least 18 years old on election day, Monday, March 30, 1998 and have lived in the riding of Port Moody–Coquitlam from Wednesday, February 25, 1998 to election day.

Electors who know that they are not registered because they have just turned 18 or have recently become Canadian citizens should contact the office of the returning officer to obtain a registration form. Electors should complete and return this form to the office of the returning officer with a copy of proof of identity to ensure that their name is on the list of electors. The office of the returning officer can be contacted at (604) 552-5270.

If an elector is aware of someone who has recently died he or she can contact the office of the returning officer to have the name of the deceased person removed from the list of electors.

The National Register of Electors is Elections Canada's confidential computerized database listing all Canadians eligible to vote in federal elections and by-elections. It replaces the costly system of door-to-door enumeration, and will save taxpayers about $30 million for each federal general election. Elections Canada has taken the steps necessary to ensure each elector's right to privacy and the confidentiality of personal information contained in the National Register of Electors is respected. Register information may be used for electoral purposes only; improper use of electoral information is an offence, punishable by law.

Between Wednesday, March 4 and Friday, March 6, 1998, every elector in the riding whose name is on the list of electors will receive a notice of Confirmation of Registration. When the notice is received, it should be checked carefully. If the name and address on the notice are correct, electors should keep the notice and take it with them for reference when they vote. It tells them when and where to vote, how to reach the office of the returning officer and whether their poll provides level access. Electors who do not receive a notice of Confirmation of Registration by Tuesday, March 10, 1998 and haven't already registered during the revision period should get in touch with the office of the returning officer.

For the by-election in Port Moody–Coquitlam, Elections Canada will also deliver registration forms door-to-door to new housing developments and areas with high population mobility, so that every potential voter in the riding is aware of the opportunity to register before voting.

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

Contact: John Enright at 1 800 267-7360 or at (613) 993-2224 or by fax at (613) 954-8584 or TTY/TDD at 1 800 361-8935. You may also contact Elections Canada by e-mail or visit our Web site at http://www.elections.ca