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Message from the Chief Electoral Officer
Stéphane Perrault
Chief Electoral Officer of Canada
I am pleased to present Elections Canada's 2018–19 Departmental Results Report. This report details the progress against commitments made in the agency's 2018–19 Departmental Plan.
Over the course of this reporting period, Elections Canada focused its efforts on improving services for electors and political entities in preparation for the 43rd general election, strengthening the security and integrity of elections, and implementing changes in support of a strong regulatory framework.
Delivering general elections and by-elections is at the heart of Elections Canada's mandate. During the 2018–19 fiscal year, Elections Canada successfully conducted five by-elections and completed preparatory work for the upcoming 43rd general election.
Over the period, the agency completed a first wave of projects to improve services to electors and ensure that the democratic process benefits from a secure and reliable infrastructure. The agency worked to improve online voter registration, implemented more advance polls and longer hours, expanded on-campus voting, and redesigned the ballot. The agency also implemented a new data centre, which modernizes our infrastructure and enhances security.
The context in which elections take place is changing. As experts continue to identify threats to Canada's democracy, ranging from foreign interference to cyber-attacks and attempts at disinformation, Elections Canada has paid careful attention. In collaboration with the Commissioner of Canada Elections, lead security agencies, and other electoral management bodies, the agency worked to mitigate potential threats.
To ensure continued improvements to the federal electoral regulatory framework in Canada, Elections Canada worked to implement changes under the Elections Modernization Act. In its preparations for the pre-election period, the agency tested the integrity of systems and processes, and prepared for the hiring and training of nearly 300,000 election officers for a robust and effectively administered election. Changes made to election spending and advertising regulations were important for transparency and provide a level playing field between third parties and other political entities.
I am confident that the changes and improvements Elections Canada has made will ensure that elections remain accessible, convenient and secure.
Stéphane Perrault
Chief Electoral Officer of Canada