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Letters to House and Senate SpeakersCEO Appearance on the Special Report of the Chief Electoral Officer: Administering an Election during the COVID-19 Pandemic

July 22, 2020

The Honourable Anthony Rota, P.C., M.P.
Speaker of the House of Commons
Room 237-S, West Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Our file: 2020-101949

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Given the minority government situation and the ongoing pandemic, it is incumbent upon me to ensure that Elections Canada is prepared to deliver an election in which Canadians are able to safely exercise their democratic rights through a range of voting options. This includes strategies for the recruitment and training of some 250,000 poll workers and the securing of appropriate voting locations, as well as administering the vote in places where there are vulnerable electors. 

Elections Canada is currently focusing considerable effort on determining how to adapt its services and processes to meet these objectives. I can assure you that I will exercise all authorities available to me under the Canada Elections Act (the Act) to adjust our operations to protect the health and safety of electors, election workers, candidates and other persons involved in the conduct of an election, while continuing to maintain effective services and the integrity of the electoral process.

It is likely, however, that certain targeted amendments to the Act will be necessary to achieve these objectives.

Later this summer, I plan accordingly to provide you with a small number of proposed pandemic-related amendments to the Act for Parliament's consideration. Given the importance of maintaining a state of readiness to conduct an election, it is my hope that these proposed amendments will be considered by parliamentarians without delay; and that legislation that will garner the support of all parliamentarians could be introduced and passed as soon as possible.

I want to emphasize that these amendments will be exclusively targeted at ensuring the safe delivery of an election in the context of a pandemic.

Other recommendations for improvements to the Act will be presented at a later time. I would expect them to follow the usual course of review in parliamentary committee.

I look forward to working with Parliament on these important amendments and invite you to contact me, if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Stéphane Perrault
Chief Electoral Officer

cc:
Ruby Sahota, Chair, Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
Blake Richards, Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
Alain Therrien, Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs


July 22, 2020

The Honourable George J. Furey, Q.C.
Speaker of the Senate
Room A-112, Senate of Canada Building
Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A4

Our file: 2020-101949

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Given the minority government situation and the ongoing pandemic, it is incumbent upon me to ensure that Elections Canada is prepared to deliver an election in which Canadians are able to safely exercise their democratic rights through a range of voting options. This includes strategies for the recruitment and training of some 250,000 poll workers and the securing of appropriate voting locations, as well as administering the vote in places where there are vulnerable electors. 

Elections Canada is currently focusing considerable effort on determining how to adapt its services and processes to meet these objectives. I can assure you that I will exercise all authorities available to me under the Canada Elections Act (the Act) to adjust our operations to protect the health and safety of electors, election workers, candidates and other persons involved in the conduct of an election, while continuing to maintain effective services and the integrity of the electoral process.

It is likely, however, that certain targeted amendments to the Act will be necessary to assist us in achieving these objectives.

Later this summer, I plan accordingly to provide the Speaker of the House of Commons with a small number of proposed pandemic-related amendments to the Act for Parliament's consideration. Given the importance of maintaining a state of readiness to conduct an election, it is my hope that these proposed amendments will be considered by parliamentarians without delay; and that legislation will garner the support of all parliamentarians and be passed as soon as possible.

I want to emphasize that these amendments will be exclusively targeted at ensuring the safe delivery of an election in the context of a pandemic.

Other recommendations for improvements to the Act will be presented at a later time. I would expect them to follow the usual course of review in parliamentary committee.

I look forward to working with Parliament on these important amendments and invite you to contact me, if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Stéphane Perrault
Chief Electoral Officer