Dear Editor:
In response to Andy Prest's April 20 column, Fair Elections Act Anything But Fair, I have consolidated concerns from constituents from across the riding I represent who have written articulate emails and called my offices to share their concerns with me about Bill C-23, The Fair Elections Act.I brought these concerns in a brief to Minister of State for Democratic Reform Pierre Poilièvre, in writing, and then followed up with inperson conversations. I'm pleased that the minister has observed concerns such as the ones raised by my constituents, and made changes to the act. Such is the nature of true democracy.
In weighing the amended version of The Fair Elections Act, readers should take into account not just the details, but also the ways in which the minister balanced various competing values that had been brought to his attention since the last election:
- Elimination of election fraud and encouraging greater participation in elections;
- Independence of officers and commissioners versus their accountability to Parliament;
- Driving out the undue influence of money from elections while enabling parties legitimately to raise funds.
The bill requires Elections Canada to advertise the information Canadians need when they go to vote: where, when and how to vote, and about advance polls and mail-in ballots.The bill cuts down on fraud by requiring a voter to produce identification, but allows for 39 or more forms of ID.
With the minister's recently announced changes, the act allows electors to vote with two pieces of identification that prove their identity and a written oath as to their residence, provided that another elector from the same polling division who proves his or her identity and residence by providing documentary proof also takes a written oath as to the elector's residence.
This new measure will allow those who do not have identification proving their residence to register and vote on polling day.
In its amended form, the bill reflects concerns and values raised by people in our riding.In my opinion, the process has demonstrated a healthy dialogue between the public and the responsible minister, and a reasonable balancing of competing priorities.
John Weston,
MP West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country
