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The Canadian Snowbird Association • www.snowbirds.org • 1-800-265-3200
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Amend the PharmaCare program to permit, at the discretion of physicians and pharmacists,
travellers to be covered for a supply of prescription medication equal to the permitted travel time out of the prov-
ince. Reimburse the cost of medication prescribed by appropriately accredited physicians and dispensed outside
the province.
ACCESS TO VOTING RIGHTS FOR TRAVELLERS
B
(2006: B)
British Columbia was the frst province in Canada to pass legislation fxing election dates. General elections are to
be held in B.C. every four years on the second Tuesday in May. The next general election will be held in 2013. The
fxed election date should give travellers the ability to plan their trips or to apply in advance for an absentee voting
package. Mail-in absentee voting is permitted in British Columbia. Applications to vote by mail can be submitted
by mail, fax, e-mail or telephone. However, distance voters are not clearly warned when an application must be
submitted in order to guarantee receipt of a “voting package” including ballot in sufcient time to send back a
valid vote. The district electoral ofcer must receive the package containing marked ballots no later than 8:00 p.m.
on General Voting Day. Ballots will not be counted if they arrive late.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
While not setting a frm deadline, clearly communicate the last day by which a distance voter
should apply in order to receive a mail-in ballot kit in sufcient time to vote and send the ballot back. Amend leg-
islation in order to permit acceptance of any mail-in ballots that have been post-marked prior to the close of polls.
AVAILABILITY OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
B-
(2006: B-)
British Columbia produces a very good pamphlet on issues related to health benefts for travellers entitled Leaving
BC. The pamphlet is fairly comprehensive, listing information on eligibility, what travellers are covered for and what
they are not covered for. There are a number of contact numbers, including 1-800 numbers, for those needing
more information. The pamphlet is available at health ministry ofces and travel organizations. While it would be
helpful to have the entire pamphlet available on-line, the ministry has consolidated most of the information on its
Medical Services Plan website (www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/msp).
On the other hand, the Elections BC website is poorly designed and provides only a short caption on absentee
voting. It is not clear where to fnd information about absentee voting and it takes some work to fnd the correct
section. “Alternative Absentee Voting” is a subheading in a section called “Voting Opportunities”.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Post the entire Leaving BC health pamphlet on-line. Make the Elections BC website more user
friendly for travellers by providing a distinct and easily accessible link regarding distance voting.
2006 D+
Grade