Site MenuMeeting Summary – Annual General Meeting – June 8, 2015
ACPP Forward Agenda and Round Table
As the objective of this agenda item is to map out ACPP's forward agenda, Mr. Deguefé provided an overview of EC's plans for engaging and consulting with political parties and providing information to electors.
EC will be communicating with electors through the Electoral Reminder Program. He noted that electors and parties are encouraged to use the shareable tools online and help to spread the word on where, when and the ways to vote. He also noted that EC does not communicate to electors by phone.
EC's website is the authoritative source for the list of accepted ID.
Mr. Deguefé shared a document entitled "Rules of the Road" and invited ACPP members to provide their feedback by June 22.
As the CEO noted, the Advisory Group for Disability Issues has asked to meet with ACPP members, for discussion and recommendations regarding improving services to individuals with disabilities. Mr. Deguefé will follow up with the ACPP about setting meeting dates after the election.
ACPP members were also asked how they prefer to receive documents. It was noted that EC would like to reduce the use of paper and is planning to print only the documents that will be shared on the day of ACPP meetings; all other documents will be sent by e-mail.
Round table discussion and open forum
There were comments on civic education and the importance of doing more to ensure that students graduate with more interest, knowledge and engagement with respect to voting and elections.
A comment was made that there is interest in discussing other types of electoral models that could be used in Canada, including alternatives to the Canada Elections Act. The question arose about whether the ACPP could make recommendations to that effect.
The point was raised that all parties should be included in all candidates meetings. It was also suggested that future discussions should focus more on benefits to the communities and on electing MPs, and less on political parties.
Comments were also made about following up on other electoral models, such as Australia's, where voter turnout is better. Members insisted on the importance of civic education – that we need to take responsibility for teaching children about democracy and elections.