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Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada following the May 12, 2003, and the June 16, 2003, by-elections


The 2003 by-elections

The by-elections held in 2003 resulted from the following resignations:

  • October 11, 2002: John Alexander Richardson, Liberal Party of Canada, Member for Perth–Middlesex, Ontario
     
  • March 14, 2003: Pierre Brien, Bloc Québécois, Member for Témiscamingue, Quebec
     
  • March 17, 2003: Antoine Dubé, Bloc Québécois, Member for Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, Quebec

The May 12 by-election

On April 6, 2003, the Prime Minister announced a by-election for May 12 to fill the vacant seat in the electoral district of Perth–Middlesex. That same day, I issued a writ to the returning officer for the electoral district directing him to conduct a by-election. This gave the returning officer an electoral calendar of 36 days.

Table 1 is an overview of the important milestones in the process from the issue of the writ to its return.

Table 1
Key dates for the May 12, 2003, by-election in Perth–Middlesex
Date Election
calendar day
Event
April 6 Day 36 Issue of the writ; preparations made to open the office of the returning officer; voting by special ballot may begin
April 9 Day 33 Revision of lists of electors begins
April 10 Day 32 Notice of Election published; candidates may file nominations
April 14 Day 28 Targeted revision begins
April 16, 17 and 18  Days 26, 25 and 24  Voter information cards mailed to all registered electors
April 21 Day 21 (2:00 p.m.)  Nominations for candidates close
April 24 and 25 Days 18 and 17 Reminder cards mailed
May 1 Day 11 Revised lists of electors distributed
May 2, 3 and 5 Days 10, 9 and 7 Advance voting
May 6 Day 6 (6:00 p.m.)  Revision and special ballot registration end
May 9 Day 3 Official lists of electors distributed
May 12 Day 0 Election day
May 13 Day –1 Validation of the results
May 22 Day –10 Writ returned

 

The two by-elections of June 16

On May 11, the Prime Minister announced by-elections for June 16 in the electoral districts of Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and Témiscamingue. That same day I issued writs to the returning officers of the two electoral districts directing them to conduct a by-election. This gave the returning officers an electoral calendar of 36 days.

Table 2 is an overview of the important milestones in the process from the issue of the writs to their return.

Table 2
Key dates for the June 16, 2003, by-elections in
Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and Témiscamingue
Date Election
calendar day
Event
May 11 Day 36 Issue of the writs; preparations made to open the offices of returning officers; voting by special ballot may begin
May 13 Day 34 Notice of Election published in Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière; candidates may file nominations
May 14 Day 33 Notice of Election published in Témiscamingue; candidates may file nominations; revision of lists of electors begins
May 19 Day 28 Targeted revision begins
May 21, 22 and 23  Days 26, 25 and 24  Voter information cards mailed to all registered electors
May 26 Day 21 (2:00 p.m.) Nominations for candidates close
May 28, 29 and 30  Days 19, 18 and 17  Reminder cards mailed
June 5 Day 11 Revised lists of electors distributed
June 6, 7 and 9 Days 10, 9 and 7 Advance voting
June 10 Day 6 (6:00 p.m.) Revision and special ballot registration end
June 13 Day 3 Official lists of electors distributed
June 16 Day 0 Election day
June 17 Day –1 Validation of the results
June 27 Day –11 Writs returned