Dear Editor:
I would like to clarify some misinformation following your April 6 op-ed regarding Bill C-23, the Fair Elections Act. Your editorial claims that this act is politically motivated. That is false. Our government created this bill to strengthen the integrity of our voting system by ensuring only eligible voters cast their ballot. It is not unreasonable for all Canadians to show some form of ID when they vote, as they often show ID for other important matters and, indeed, for many daily activities as well.
The Fair Elections Act implements 38 of the chief electoral officer's past recommendations, and was drafted with the help of important feedback and concerns raised by Canadians, Elections Canada, various groups and think tanks.
These important reforms will in fact better protect our voting system by: protecting voters from rogue calls and imposters; giving the commissioner of Canada electionsmore tools to ensure we have strong elections law enforcement; cracking down on voter fraud by ensuring fraudsters are stopped before their ballot is in the box; making sure rules are clear, predictable and publicly available to everyone, and making sure Canadians know where to vote, when to vote and what ID to bring.
With regards to ID, we have tried to make this as easy as possible by allowing 39 different pieces of identification. If someone's ID lacks an address, the recently amended bill will allow voters to co-sign an oath of residency.
I am proud of our democratic system and would like to see these important and common-sense changes implemented through this act to further ensure all Canadians' voices are heard - equally, legally, and fairly. To imply anything else, as your editorial attempted to do, is misleading and disingenuous.
Andrew Saxton,
MP North Vancouver
