Site MenuPolitical Entities Service Centre (PESC) and the Nomination Process Presentation – Advisory Committee of Political Parties – Meeting Summary – August 5, 2021
Presenter: Christopher Morris, Chief of Candidate Services and Alexandre MacIsaac, Chief of PESN.
The presenters of this session briefly covered the candidate nomination process and related services. They began by providing an overview of how the Canada Elections Act (CEA) outlines the candidate endorsement process, information which is outlined on the Elections Canada website. The presenters followed by reviewing The Political Entities Service Centre (PESC) tool, explaining that it is Elections Canada's secure online portal designed to provide quick access to a variety of services and digital documents. They reminded participants that PESC allows candidate campaigns to complete and submit the nomination package online, access useful electoral materials and submit financial documents after the election. They also highlighted how Political Entities can create an account at any time (there's no need to wait for an election to be called) and submit their nomination shortly after the issue of the writ.
Given the pandemic circumstances across the country, the presenters then encouraged all candidates to submit their nominations through the Political Entities Service Centre portal (PESC), indicating that it provides a streamlined process for completing the nomination form and for submitting information to the returning office, while helping reduce interactions at the RO office and increasing safety for the office, visitors, and candidates. They clarified that in person submissions would still be accepted with scheduled appointments, but that those going into the RO offices would be required to adhere to COVID related provisions.
Further pandemic-related accommodations were explained, including EC's offer to allow candidate's solemn declarations to be completed by videoconference with their returning officer. Instructions were provided on what options existed to submit the elector signatures form, as outlined in the COVID-19 Guidance for Candidates Collecting Elector Signatures document.
The presenters reminded participants of the critical role played by candidate representatives in observing the voting operations, validating outer envelopes and in counting of regular and special ballots. With these roles in mind, EC urged participants to respect of provincial public health authorities' guidelines and indicated that masks are required when attending polling locations. The presenters pointed to addendums to guidelines for candidate representatives that were available, such as Additional guidelines for observing ordinary and advance polls, Guidelines for observing special ballot voting and guidelines for observing the counting at the Special Voting Rules Administrator's office.
In addition, the presenters announced that, for the first time, ROs would be looking to arrange joint meetings with confirmed candidates through a variety of methods to convey the latest information and adaptive measures.
The sessions' presenters then announced that EC issued an interpretation note on Canvassing and Campaigning and in Residential Areas and Public Places to address the question: What are some of the limits on the candidates' right to canvass and campaign in public places and residential areas? While the focus of the answer was broader than questions related to the pandemic context, the presenters underlined the limits to this right in relation to the protection of the health and safety of electors. An example provided was that a person in control of a multiple-residence building or public place may invoke an exception and deny access if the exception is justified based on all the facts of the particular situation.
Finally, before opening the floor to questions, EC reminded everyone that the Political Entities Support Network was available to support candidates and parties during the election and shared their contact information.