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Appendix A: Consolidated list of findings and action items

Departmental Result 1: Canadians can exercise their democratic rights to vote and be a candidate
Findings Action items Specific Actions Taken
(Last updated: October 2022)
  • Fewer complaints related to accessibility
  • Polling places met a new, more complete accessibility standard
  • More accessible ballot
 Simplify poll worker training on the mandatory accessibility criteria and the correct use and placement of signage. Under way

For the 44th general election, this action item was addressed within the framework of adapting electoral services to the pandemic. The agency continues to explore opportunities to integrated practices for continuous improvement of poll worker training.
Enhance partnerships with provincial governments to use schools as polling places. Deferred

Schools were unavailable for use during the 44th general election. The general election demonstrated the importance of partnerships with provincial entities that are related to the use of schools as polling places and a range of other issues.

Partnerships with provincial governments will remain a priority for the agency to ensure continuous program improvements.
  • Better electoral services in remote Indigenous communities
  • Online Voter Registration Service enhanced for electors at non-standard addresses
 Look for new ways to reduce barriers to Indigenous electors' participation in federal elections. Under way

New virtual resources that were introduced during the 44th general election include:
  • A virtual kiosk, targeting young Indigenous electors
  • Voter information videos at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) General Assembly
  • Digital posters with links to material in Indigenous languages
  • Virtual workshops and webinars (held pre- and post-writ)
A comprehensive review of services to Indigenous electors will be undertaken in 2022–2023.
Update the Online Voter Registration Service to allow electors with non-standard address types to add themselves to the list of electors and update their non-standard address types. Completed

A solution for the Online Voter Registration Service was successfully implemented for the 44th general election. Going forward, findings from a series of planned studies will inform more updates to the service.
Promote the Online Voter Registration Service at events directed toward Indigenous electors and in collaboration with the Assembly of First Nations. Completed

For the 44th general election, the Online Voter Registration Service was promoted through the AFN in the following ways:
  • As a "quick and easy" registration option with more than 490 individuals on the call list;
  • Through a digital newsletter, including hyperlinks to the online registration page, with more that 600 individuals and leaders on the call list;
  • Through the sharing of the agency's social media messages by all Indigenous contractors.
In 2022–2023, the Online Voter Registration Service will be the subject of comprehensive program review and recommendations may be issued.
  • Shortfalls in the recruitment and retention of bilingual staff
  • Services not always available in both official languages
  • Inconsistencies in application of official languages procedures
 Continue working with key stakeholders to implement outreach activities with official language minority communities to promote Elections Canada activities and job opportunities. Completed

For the 44th general election, to help amplify recruitment and information on registration and voting in official language minority communities (OLMCs), the agency contracted three organizations: the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA), Quebec Community Group Network (QGCN), and Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française (FJCF). Informal collaborators were called upon to promote employment opportunities within their networks, which helped to recruit workers who could provide services in both official languages. Ahead of the 44th general election, the agency:
  • Consulted more than 30 organizations that represent OLMCs on strategies and tools for mobilizing and recruiting workers;
  • Held four virtual information workshops with OLMC organizations on communication and recruitment tools for election workers;
  • Formalized within the agency a community relations officer program for official language minorities;
  • Encouraged returning officers to designate a community relations officer for official language minorities.
For the 45th general election, the agency will consult and collaborate with organizations that represent OLMCs to promote employment opportunities and help to recruit bilingual workers.
Work to improve and diversify tools to better support returning officers in planning and carrying out official language's activities. Completed

Ahead of the 44th general election, the agency worked to improve tools for returning officers. The agency:
  • Improved the tools already in place to help returning officers meet official language obligations;
  • Enhanced our structured mechanisms to monitor obligations;
  • Provided returning officers with a list of regional and local official language minority organizations (in collaboration with Canadian Heritage) in order to support the recruitment of bilingual workers. The list includes over 400 organizations covering most regions of the country.
During the next electoral cycle, the agency will continue to improve the tools to meet the expectations of voters and the needs expressed by returning officers. The agency will also develop a pre-election activity to help returning officers meet their obligations.
Collect more data on absenteeism and resource reallocation of bilingual staff to better understand and address recruitment and retention issues. Deferred

Tools and systems in place restrict the systematic collection of data. To help address this issue, for the 44th general election, the agency added the position of regional recruitment coordinator to support the recruitment and assignment of poll workers, including bilingual poll workers. Regional recruitment coordinators are also responsible for:
  • Monitoring regional recruitment trends;
  • Supporting returning officers in dealing with the problems of withdrawals and shortages of poll workers;
  • Helping with assigning or reassigning withdrawals and bilingual staff at polling places.
The agency provided returning officers with new planning tools and recommendations to help them better manage the collection of data.

The agency will continue to find new ways to facilitate data collection, as it works to modernize systems, including the recruitment system.
Optimize the complaint process to obtain better data and ensure continuous improvement and faster resolution of issues. Completed

Following the 43rd general election, the agency collaborated with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages to review and optimize the complaints process through data collection and more flexibility that will allow:
  • The agency to respond more efficiently to complaints during the election period;
  • Returning officers to quickly address issues when they arise.
During the next electoral cycle, the agency will continue this work and increase awareness among electors of the importance of reporting incidents.
  • Majority of electors aware of the voter identification requirements
  • Voter information card used with another piece of identification to establish proof of address
  • Even when not used as identification, voter information card facilitated voting
 Continue to leverage the use of the voter information card as proof of address when the elector has another piece of identification. Completed
  • Satisfaction with in-person voting remained high
  • Average voting times considerably reduced
  • Voters satisfied with the distance to their polling places
  • Election worker absenteeism led to late opening of some polls
 Improve training and processes within the framework imposed by the Canada Elections Act. Completed

The agency has integrated practices for continuous improvement based on feedback received from Returning Officers.
Review and refine polling station operations and staffing models, including implementing a single poll worker model. Under way
  • Changes in the Tariff of Fees were made to reduce the workload of deputy returning officers and to improve training during peak periods.
  • Adjustments to polling station operations and staffing models will be implemented ahead of the 45th general election.
  • The single poll worker service model requires further assessment and remains a priority.
Look for opportunities to leverage technology to streamline registration and voting procedures. Under way

The agency is currently exploring the use of technology to help streamline registration and voting procedures.
Ensure better information sharing and coordination with stakeholders to facilitate staffing Completed

For the 44th general election, the agency updated the "Working at a Federal Election" toolkit, adding information on working at a federal election during a pandemic. The toolkit was shared with approximately 600 individuals and organizations through the Inspire Democracy network, and it was officially launched to the agency's entire stakeholder network at an event on April 30, 2021. More recruitment-specific emails were sent for further awareness.

The agency also enhanced information sharing and coordination within the National Recruitment Campaign for poll workers, which is part of the recruitment program.
Share applicant information, where possible, between electoral districts that had sufficient and insufficient staffing at different milestones. Completed

To prepare for the 44th general election, the agency shared applicant information between electoral districts to support returning officers when staffing positions throughout the election.
Improve recruitment by leveraging best practices from provincial electoral management agencies and coordinating to share lists of potential workers, where possible. Completed

The agency participated in a working group that was created by the Secretariat for Electoral Coordination and that enabled provincial and territorial electoral management bodies and Elections Canada to share resources and good practices in recruitment.
Support returning officers' outreach to school boards to recruit 16- and 17-year-old workers, where appropriate. Cancelled

The agency conducted a feasibility study to assess opportunities and considerations for a pilot program for Ontario secondary school students who were enrolled in cooperative education programs in order to work at electoral events. A decision was made not to pursue educational pilots, given the pandemic and the uncertainty of the election date in a minority government situation.
The agency has also proposed a number of temporary legislative measures related to delivering an election in a pandemic. Information on the impact of COVID-19 is available on elections.ca. Completed

For the 44th general election, the agency implemented a number of temporary legislative measures related to delivering an election in a pandemic.
  • Majority of candidates found it easy to comply with nomination requirements
  • Lower than expected uptake of the PESC portal
 Continue to offer both paper and electronic options to accommodate the needs of candidates Completed

The agency offered both paper and electronic options to accommodate the needs of candidates during the 44th general election. The agency also continues to explore options to improve candidate services, including recommendations to Parliament to improve both paper and electronic options for nomination requirements.
Provide more information to potential candidates, as well as to electors who may wish to become candidates, on the nomination process and the legislative requirements and challenges of running in an election. Completed

For the 44th general election, the agency updated its "Running in a Federal Election" toolkit, adding information on the realities of campaigning during a pandemic. The toolkit was featured at events that were held in English (two) and French (one), one of which was syndicated on CPAC.
Seek input from stakeholders and subject matter experts to increase the number of tools available through the portal and continually improve on those currently available. Completed

Following the 43rd general election, the agency held consultations with the Advisory Committee of Political Parties to seek input on improvements that were made to the portal and the tools available through the Political Entities Service Centre.

Going forward the agency will continue to seek input from stakeholders and subject matter experts on improvements and increase the number of tools available.
Departmental Result 2: Canadians receive electoral information and services that meet their needs
Findings Action items Specific Actions Taken
(Last updated: October 2022)
  • Most electors satisfied with the information provided by Elections Canada
  • Voter Information Campaign contributed to electors' awareness of identification requirements
  • Canadians felt Elections Canada's ads were clear and useful
 Enhance the Voter Information Campaign in order to keep pace with the information environment and respond to the needs of Canadians. Completed

Ahead of the 44th general election, the agency's Environmental Monitoring function was enhanced, providing data to support the development of communication messages to correct inaccurate narratives about the electoral process circulating in the environment.

For the 44th general election, the Voter Information Campaign was enhanced, with three new campaigns for recruitment, health and safety, and electoral safeguards.
  • Integrated service model enabled faster voting
  • Integrated service model proved to be cost-effective
  • Integrated service model well received by election workers
 Maintain the integrated service model and continue to look for ways to improve elector services in local offices. Completed

The agency enhanced the single poll worker service model that was in place during the 43rd general election. For the 44th general election, the agency developed a decentralized postal vote processing system that improved elector services at local offices.
Leverage the experience and the lessons learned from the 43rd general election and previous elections to identify ways to deliver an accessible, safe and secure federal general election should one be called before the pandemic is over. Completed

Leading up to, during and following every general election, the agency conducts research on public opinion and analyses of administrative data to help us evaluate our performance. Findings are used to identify ways to deliver accessible, safe and secure elections, and to inform improvements to services and recommendations to Parliament.
  • Special ballot voters satisfied with Elections Canada's services
  • Alternative voting options used when election day coincided with religious holidays
  • Special ballot voting allowed flexibility to respond to storms in Manitoba
  • Expanded Vote on Campus program well received by electors
  • Mail-in voting met expectations despite an increase in demand
 Review and improve processes in order to be in a position to accommodate larger numbers of mail-in ballots at the next general election Completed

For the 44th general election, this action item was completed within the framework of the pandemic adaptation measures. The Chief Electoral Officer made recommendations to Parliament for legislative changes to optimize the postal voting service for electors in order to accommodate larger numbers of mail-in ballots for the next general election.
Pause the use of vote on campus services for the 44th general election given the time needed to prepare and the current status of the pandemic situation. Completed

For the 44th general election, Vote on Campus services were paused. The agency is committed to reinstating these services for the 45th general election.
Examine options for establishing a sustainable solution to ensure faith-based communities are supported when a general election falls on a religious holiday. The Chief Electoral Officer may provide recommendations to Parliament for legislative change to enable possible solutions. Completed

The agency held consultations on religious activities, examining options for establishing a sustainable solution to ensure faith-based communities are supported when a general election falls on a religious holiday. Consultations were held with a variety of faith groups; and feedback was collected from national and provincial organizations representing faith groups and also from the members of Parliament and representatives of rabbinical councils who had expressed concerns over the fixed-date election during the 43rd general election.

Recommendations to Parliament for legislative changes were included in the Recommendations Report following the 43rd and 44th general elections.
  • Returning officers reported a significant decline in satisfaction with poll worker training tools
  • Election workers satisfied with election materials
  • Simplified forms improved recordkeeping
 Continue to offer shifts and breaks while increasing flexibility and opportunities for returning officers to adapt work schedules to their worker pool and operational reality. Completed

In the 44th general election, this action item was completed within the framework of the pandemic adaptation measures. Improvements made to working conditions for poll workers will remain in place and have been integrated into ongoing program operations.
Adapt poll worker wages to ensure they are competitive with those offered by similar employers. Completed

In the Tariff of Fees (2022), new provisions were introduced including increased wages, overtime, and paid statutory holidays to ensure poll worker pay is competitive with the wages offered by similar employers.
Improve the poll worker staffing model and communications to provide returning officers with more flexible staffing options during long voting hours and days. Under way

For the 44th general election, this action item was completed within the framework of the pandemic adaptation measures.

Adjustments to the single poll worker staffing model will be implemented ahead of the 45th general election. More returning officer training on staffing options when long voting hours and days are required is being developed. The single poll worker service model requires further assessment and remains a priority for the agency.
Review and improve the content and delivery of training programs and tools and identify opportunities to simplify and clarify procedures and practices. Completed

For the 44th general election, efforts were made to make improvements to the returning officer and financial officer manuals and to financial processes and procedures to facilitate operations. Going forward, the agency will continue to use findings from consultations and surveys to inform continuous improvements as part of its ongoing program delivery.
Allow returning officers and trainers more time to become familiar with the training material, including before the writs are issued. Completed

For the 44th general election, returning officers and trainers were allowed more time to become familiar with the training material before the writs were issued. Going forward, the agency will continue to use findings from consultations and surveys to inform continuous improvements as part of its ongoing program delivery.
Simplify training and duties, including by reducing the length of training and the complexity of the closing procedures Completed

For the 44th general election, efforts were made to reduce the length of training and the complexity of the closing procedures. Going forward, the agency will continue to use findings from consultations and surveys to inform continuous improvements as part of its ongoing program delivery.
Enhance the information that is shared at each stage of recruitment and provide all relevant information to workers as early as possible. Completed

For the 44th general election, the agency added a regional recruitment coordinator position to help improve the sharing of information, identify issues and trends and support returning officers at polling places. Going forward, the agency will continue to use findings from consultations and surveys to inform continuous improvements as part of its ongoing program delivery.
Implement an integrated personnel management system that supports all stages, from hiring to compensation, and meets the operational needs of staff in the regions. (medium term) Underway

This action item is being considered as part of the digital transformation initiatives currently underway.
  • Student Vote Canada program had a substantial impact on students' civic literacy
  • Educational resources well received
 Prepare earlier for the delivery of Student Vote Canada, including shipping and storing election supplies in advance. Completed

Preparations for Student Vote Canada began in early 2021. Voting materials, including ballot boxes, voting screens and maps, were distributed well in advance, ensuring continued program readiness, freeing up storage and relieving the distribution centre of any last-minute tasks. This approach is now part of the program delivery model and will be replicated for future Student Vote Canada events.
Streamline lesson plans and activities so they can be taught in a shorter time frame. Completed

Teaching support tools for the Student Vote program were adjusted, offering condensed lesson pathways to help maximize learning over a shorter period with options for four-lesson or two-lesson periods. The number of lessons was reduced and streamlined for elementary, intermediate and secondary levels.
Make only minor revisions and updates to educational resources. Completed

For the 44th general election, minor revisions and updates to educational resource content were made. Going forward, the agency will continue to use findings from consultations and surveys to inform continuous improvements as part of its ongoing program delivery.
Departmental Result 3: Canada maintains a fair, secure and transparent electoral process free of undue influence
Findings Action items Specific Actions Taken
(Last updated: October 2022)
  • No security incidents detected
  • Polling location choice supported security
 Maintain partnerships with lead security agencies to protect the agency's digital assets and monitor the information environment for threats and incidents that could affect the administration of the election. Completed

To protect its digital assets, the agency maintained partnerships with lead security agencies that have a mandate to protect election security. The agency also worked within its mandate to monitor the information environment to detect threats and incidents that could affect the administration of the election.
Strengthen our cybersecurity posture to remain well positioned to anticipate, detect and respond to emerging security concerns related to the administration of elections. Completed

The agency monitored the public environment to detect and analyze issues related to Elections Canada's mandate. Timely information and analysis are shared when inaccurate information about the electoral process is identified so that appropriate steps can be taken to strengthen cybersecurity.
Monitor the environment for integrity threats and refine mitigation and response activities. Completed

Inaccurate online information disseminated prior to and during the election were monitored and identified. As part of its mandate and to protect its integrity, the agency corrects and shares authoritative information about the electoral process both internally and publicly.
  • Procedures at the polls followed
  • List of electors was the most up to date ever
  • Elections Canada viewed as the official source of information
  • Special ballot process perceived as secret
 Refer potential contraventions of the Canada Elections Act to the Commissioner of Canada Elections for investigation. Completed

Potential contraventions of the Canada Elections Act are referred to the Commissioner of Canada Elections for investigation.
Establish a more robust regulatory policy function, including an electoral integrity policy framework. Underway

Work is ongoing to establish a new, more robust regulatory policy function that supports the implementation of the agency's Electoral Integrity Framework. Regulatory policy instruments are also being drafted.
Maintain the National Register of Electors and refine its processes, and collaborate with various electoral management bodies, other federal departments and agencies, and other key partners with the goal to have elector information that is as current and accurate as possible in advance of an election. Completed

The agency uses post-election consultation and survey findings to inform continuous program improvements to voter registration services and collaborates with electoral management bodies, departments, agencies and partners to develop timely, current and accurate information for electors in advance of an election.
Implement and optimize processes for the Register of Future Electors in order to provide more opportunities to reduce the registration gap in the National Register of Electors for 18–24-year-olds—the group with the lowest registration rates. Underway

For the 44th general election, the agency collaborated with electoral management bodies, departments and agencies and other key partners to optimize voter registration services and successfully implemented the Register of Future Electors. Going forward, the agency will continue to use findings from consultations and surveys to inform continuous improvements as part of its ongoing program delivery.
  • Elections Canada's guidance and training sessions well received
  • New method for filing electoral campaigns returns successfully implemented
  • Online publication of electoral campaign returns delayed as a result of the pandemic
  • New process for reimbursing electoral expenses successfully implemented
  • New privacy rules successfully implemented
 Deliver training and guidance material for parties and candidates to help political entities comply with the Canada Elections Act. This includes focusing on the ease of use of the new portal and providing information on how to file documentation electronically. Completed

The agency updated the political financing handbooks prior to the 44th general election and made them available through the Virtual Training Centre. The following steps were also taken to facilitate access for candidates:Confirmed candidates were given an account and received an email with information.Learning modules on starting and closing a campaign were made available.Virtual information sessions were offered.A user guide and video were prepared to explain, assist and simplify electronic filings through the upload centre.
Complete post-election audits of the campaign returns of the political parties and candidates that participated in the 43rd general election. Completed

Post-election audits of parties and candidates were completed in September 2021.
  • Complexity of new rules for third parties created challenges
  • New reporting requirements improved transparency but placed additional burden on third parties
  • Political financing tools and resources were helpful
  • Challenges with issue advertising
 Complete the post-election audits of the financial returns of third parties that participated in the 43rd general election. Completed

Post-election audits of third parties were completed in January 2022.
Enable third parties and their financial agents to meet their obligations under the political financing regime, including by updating the handbook with examples of questions posed during the 43rd general election. Completed

The handbook for third parties was significantly improved with more content and examples. A questions-and-answers page, which is available on the elections.ca website, was also updated. Videos were developed and posted online to facilitate registration, financial administration and reporting.