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2017–18 Departmental Results Report

Operating context and key risks

Operating context

Elections Canada delivered 11 by-elections in 2017–18. With the 43rd general election scheduled for October 21, 2019, the agency's primary objective for the year was to progress on its multi-year plan to modernize the electoral process to make it more accessible and inclusive for all Canadians and to improve voter experience.

Throughout the fiscal year, Elections Canada provided the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC) with technical assistance and advice regarding potential legislative changes to the Canada Elections Act. In this regard, the acting Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (CEO) appeared before the Committee twice, while Elections Canada officials appeared 18 times during the Committee's in camera study of the CEO's 2016 Recommendations Report. Continued technical support and advice was also provided to officials in the Privy Council Office considering draft legislative amendments.

As of March 31, 2018, one government bill and 11 private members' billsFootnote i proposing various changes to the electoral legislation were before Parliament.

In 2017–18, Stéphane Perrault, then Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Regulatory and Public Affairs, held the position of Acting Chief Electoral Officer. On June 8, 2018, the House of Commons adopted a resolution confirming the appointment of Mr. Perrault as the seventh Chief Electoral Officer of Canada.

Key Risks

Risk Mitigating Strategy and Effectiveness Link to the Agency's ProgramsFootnote ii
Elections Canada has insufficient capacity to implement legislative changes and pursue the required modernization over several electoral cycles Anticipating significant legislative changes, Elections Canada realigned its resources and scaled down some of its Transformation Agenda initiatives for the 2019 general election. The agency also established a dedicated team to support the key aspects of its Electoral Services Modernization agenda.

This risk did not materialize in 2017–18, but the government introduced Bill C-76 on April 30, 2018. Given the short timeframe before the 2019 general election, the agency is planning to deliver the election under either the current or the amended legislation.
  • Electoral Operations
  • Regulation of Electoral Activities
  • Electoral Engagement
The Chief Electoral Officer's recommendations to redefine the polling station are not enacted by Parliament For the reporting period, the agency worked under the assumption that the required changes would be enacted on time for the 2019 general election, but also had contingency plans for the status quo.

While progressing towards its plans to improve polling processes, Elections Canada's contingency, in the absence of enabling legislative changes, was to implement only what was permitted under the current legislation. For instance, this risk was mitigated by targeting only advance polls for the new e-poll book solution (which includes electronic voters lists and records of procedures), where they are allowed under the current legislation.

On April 30, 2018, the government introduced Bill C-76, which contains enabling changes. At the time of writing this report, Bill C-76 had been read a second time and referred to Committee in the House of Commons.
  • Electoral Operations
  • Regulation of Electoral Activities
  • Electoral Engagement
A federal referendum takes place Facing the possibility of a referendum on the electoral system reform, Elections Canada reviewed the Referendum Regulation and developed a contingency plan so that a referendum could be held with a six-month preparation window. With the government's decision to not pursue the electoral system reform, the risk did not materialize.
  • Electoral Operations
  • Regulation of Electoral Activities
  • Electoral Engagement