| [With EMBs] Interview with Elections Canada |
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| Last updated 2021-06-03 |
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 Maintaining the Safety and Integrity of the Electoral Process Even Under the Pandemic (Elections Canada) Elections Canada is an election management body that is responsible for federal-level elections and referendum. Toronto Centre federal by-election and York Centre federal by-election were held on October 26, 2020. The A-WEB Secretariat interviewed Elections Canada on 28 April 2021. In the following interview with Elections Canada, you can find out how they managed the two elections under the pandemic.
▶Question: Which election(s) were held in 2021 in Canada? ▶Answer: Elections Canada is responsible for administering federal elections and no elections have so far been held in Canada at the federal level in 2021. Provincial and territorial elections are managed by their respective local electoral management bodies. One province, Newfoundland and Labrador, and one territory, Yukon, held general elections in 2021. In October 2020, there were two federal by-elections administered by Elections Canada in Toronto and York Centre.
▶Question: How did COVID-19 change the election process and election management? ▶Answer: In 2020, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) approved a series of administrative changes that Elections Canada is progressively implementing to respond to the pandemic and maintain the safety and integrity of the electoral process. These changes and measures include: · Implementing physical distancing and other public health guidelines at polling places and local Elections Canada offices. · Procuring masks and single-use pencils to be provided to electors should they be necessary. Electors will also have the option to bring their own mask and pen or pencil. · Changing the agency's model of operations at the polls to facilitate physical distancing. · Providing return envelopes with prepaid postage for electors who vote by mail. · Increasing the capacity and convenience of the vote-by-mail system to meet a potential increase in demand for this service. An increased volume of mail-in ballots could delay the release of election results. · Expanding virtual training for electoral workers in order to limit the number of in-person interactions. For other information related to the conduct of the 2020 Fall by-elections, please see the Report on the 2020 By-elections - Elections Canada ▶Question: Do you have any upcoming election(s) or future election management changes you wish to share with A-WEB Member EMBs? ▶Answer: Since Canada is currently in a minority government situation at the federal level, an election can be called at any time and Elections Canada maintains election readiness for this possibility. In his special report of 5 October, 2020, the CEO recommended legislative changes to make voting more accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bill C-19, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (COVID-19 response), was introduced last December in the Parliament. The bill proposes temporary rules for the administration of elections during the pandemic and Elections Canada is studying the legislation to determine its implications for the agency and the delivery of a federal election. Updated information on Elections Canada’s pandemic response can be found at: Impact of COVID-19 - Elections Canada The A-WEB Secretariat appreciates Elections Canada for sharing the special measures they have taken under the pandemic situation. The Secretariat will continue to conduct these interviews so that A-WEB members may share what they have introduced to cope with the pandemic in election management. |