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17-G-2021-06 – Adaptation for ballot production in some remote communities in Nunavut

Canada Elections Act

44th General Election

Adaptation for ballot production in some remote communities in Nunavut

Date of issue: September 9, 2021

Number: 17-G-2021-06

Whereas the writs for the 44th General Election were issued on August 15, 2021, with polling day on September 20, 2021;

Whereas subsection 171(2) of the Canada Elections Act ("the Act") provides that advance polling station shall be open on the tenth, ninth, eighth and seventh days before polling day, namely September 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2021;

Whereas, sections 115 and 116 of the Act prescribe rules for the production of ballots;

Whereas logistical issues are preventing the delivery of ballots in time for the start of advance polling to the following communities in Nunavut: Arviat; Baker Lake; Cambridge Bay; Gjoa Haven; Kugluktuk and Sanikiluaq;

Whereas it is necessary for advance polling stations in these remote communities to have the required ballots in order for advance voting to take place;

And Whereas subsection 17(1) of the Act provides the following:

17(1) During an election period or within 30 days after it, if an emergency, an unusual or unforeseen circumstance or an error makes it necessary, the Chief Electoral Officer may, for the sole purpose of enabling electors to exercise their right to vote or enabling the counting of votes, adapt any provision of this Act and, in particular, may extend the time for doing any act, subject to subsection (2), or may increase the number of election officers or polling stations.

1. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 173:

173.1 (1) Where the Chief Electoral Officer determines that logistical issues in an electoral district prevent the delivery of ballots printed in accordance with sections 115 and 116 to an advance polling station, the Chief Electoral Officer may authorize the returning officer to reproduce ballots as set out in this section for use at that advance polling station.

(2) The returning officer shall transmit an electronic version of the ballot to the person authorized by the returning officer to reproduce the ballot; the returning officer indicates to the person the number of copies of the ballot that the person is authorized to make.

(3) The returning officer shall record the number of ballots reproduced under subsection (2) for each polling station.

(4) The person authorized by the returning officer to reproduce the ballot maxes the exact number of copies of the ballot that the person was authorized by the returning officer to make, and then provides those copies to the election officer designated by the returning officer to receive them.

(5) The election officer who receives the copies under subsection (4) shall take all measures set out in the instructions received from the returning officer.

173.2 A ballot produced in accordance with section 173.1 is deemed, for the purposes of this Act, to be a ballot printed in accordance with sections 115 and 116.


(Original Signed)

Stéphane Perrault
Chief Electoral Officer