Re: Stephen Harper’s Elections Act is unfair (March 7, Page A4 of the Daily Herald)
I would like to thank former NDP MLA Lon Borgerson for his letter regarding his support for letting persons without proper identification vote in a federal election. I do however disagree with Borgerson’s position.
According to the Neufeld Report, which was commissioned by Elections Canada, there were irregularities in 25 per cent of cases where vouching was used in the last election. Another Elections Canada report also showed that roughly one-in-six eligible voters do not have a correct address listed on the National Register of Electors, which is used to produce Voter Information Cards. In other words, one out of six electors may get a Voter Information Card with the wrong address.
In response to these documented concerns, the Fair Elections Act ends the use of Voter Information Cards as a form of acceptable identification. It also creates new requirements for Elections Canada to advertise the ID requirements, so that voters will know before they head to the polls what ID they will need when they get there.
Canadians will continue to have 39 authorized forms of ID to choose from when voting. They are as follows:
Driver's Licence; Health Card; Canadian Passport; Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (Citizenship Card;, Birth Certificate; Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card); SIN Card; OAS Card; Student ID Card; Provincial/Territorial Identification Card; Liquor Identification Card; Hospital/Medical Clinic Card; Credit/Debit Card; Employee Card; Public Transportation Card; Library Card; Canadian Forces Identity Card; Veterans Affairs Canada Health Card; Canadian Blood Services Card; CNIB ID Card; Firearm PAL or POL, Fishing; Trapping or Hunting Licence; Outdoors or Wildlife Card/Licence; Hospital bracelet worn by residents of long-term care facilities; Parolee Identification Card; Utility Bill (telephone, TV, public utilities commission; hydro, gas or water); Bank/Credit Card Statement; Vehicle Ownership/Insurance; Correspondence issued by a school, college or university; Statement of Government Benefits (EI, OAS, social assistance, disability support or child tax benefit); Attestation of Residence issued by the responsible authority of a First Nations band or reserve; Government Cheque or Cheque Stub; Pension Plan Statement of Benefits, Contributions or Participation; Residential Lease; Mortgage Statement; Income/Property Tax Assessment Notice; Insurance Policy; Letter from a public curator; public guardian or public trustee;
One of the following, issued by the responsible authority of a shelter, soup kitchen, student/senior residence, or long-term care facility: Attestation of Residence, Letter of Stay, Admission Form or Statement of Benefits.
Our government's commitment to enhancing our electoral laws and protecting the integrity of every ballot remains firm. The Fair Elections Act will make our laws tough, clear and easy-to-follow. It will make life harder for election law-breakers and put the focus back on honest Canadians taking part in our democracy.
Randy Hoback, MP
Prince Albert
Comments