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ACCESS TO VOTING RIGHTS FOR TRAVELLERS
B-
(2006: C-)
Canadians temporarily outside the country can vote by special ballot. Unfortunately, travellers face more restric-
tions than Canadian citizens who reside abroad; the latter can apply at any time, even before an election is called
(which adds fexibility), but travellers can only apply after the election call. The application formmay be requested
in person, by mail, telephone, fax, or downloaded from
www.elections.ca
. The completed forms must be re-
turned by mail, courier, fax, or in person. The elector’s completed application must be received by any returning
ofcer no later than 6:00 p.m., local time, or by Elections Canada in Ottawa no later than 6:00 p.m., Ottawa time, on
the Tuesday before polling day. Marked ballots must be returned by 6:00 p.m., election day.
Change since last report:
Adopted fxed election date legislation. Unfortunately, not all parties were able to abide
by the intent of the law and an early election was held in October, 2008. Deadline for returning completed applica-
tion has been changed from the sixth day prior to the election to the Tuesday before polling day.
Recommendations:
Clearly communicate the last day by which an application for a special ballot should be re-
ceived in order to ensure that a special ballot is delivered to the voter in sufcient time to vote and send it back.
Allow applications to be submitted by e-mail. Amend legislation to permit acceptance of any mail-in ballot that
has been post-marked prior to the close of polls. All parties should work together to respect fxed election date
legislation.
AVAILABILITY OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
B
(2006: B)
For many health care-related matters of interest to travellers, the federal government is responsible for setting
standards and transferring resources to the provinces and territories, but not for setting the policy and regulations
that directly afect travellers. As such, the federal government does not have the same level of responsibility for
providing travellers with policy information on these matters.
Elections Canada has responsibility for providing information to travellers concerning their voting rights. It makes
detailed information available on its website and through a 1-800 line. Printable application forms are available
on-line. Unfortunately, the information on special-ballot voting, though thorough, is not easy to locate.
Change since last report:
Elections Canada website has improved but does not provide full information on voting
from outside Canada until an election has been called.
Recommendations:
Improve on-line information regarding absentee voting processes between elections.
2006 C
Grade