open Secondary menu

Part 2: Recommendations Relating to the Administration of the Canada Elections ActMeeting New Challenges: Recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada following the 43rd and 44th General Elections

Part 1 of this report focussed on a specific theme: electoral communications. Part 2 provides a number of additional recommendations designed to benefit Canadians by enhancing the administration of the Canada Elections Act (the Act). The recommendations respond to the needs of various stakeholders in the federal electoral process: the electorate, specific groups within the electorate, candidates and other political entities.

The first set of recommendations is designed to provide specific responses to subgroups of the electorate who may face barriers to participation in the electoral process. This set includes potential solutions to reduce the number of special ballots set aside for lateness, an amendment to accommodate days of religious and cultural significance; another to enhance services to electors residing in long-term care facilities; and yet another to facilitate voting by electors with disabilities.

A second group of recommendations is designed to enhance service to candidates and other political entities. Three recommendations aim to facilitate the candidate nomination process, while others focus on the political financing reporting regime.

Finally, a third set of recommendations addresses, amongst other things, the needs of the electoral workforce in the field. Changes are recommended to the conditions of work for returning officers to help recruit and retain the best electoral workforce possible. There are also amendments designed to improve electoral management that would lead to better service delivery for Canadians; and another that focuses on the stewardship of public funds.