Meeting New Challenges: Recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada following the 43rd and 44th General Elections

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Letter to the speaker of the House

June 7, 2022

The Honourable Anthony Rota, M.P.
Speaker of the House of Commons
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Mr. Speaker:

Pursuant to section 535 of the Canada Elections Act, I have the honour to submit my report Meeting New Challenges: Recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada following the 43rd and 44th General Elections.

The report proposes amendments that, in my opinion, are desirable for the better administration of the Act. The report is accompanied by a separate report setting out amendments proposed by the Commissioner of Canada Elections pursuant to section 537.2 of the Act.

Under section 536 of the Act, the Speaker shall submit these reports to the House of Commons without delay. These reports are referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.

Yours truly,

Stéphane Perrault Chief Electoral Officer

Table of Contents

• Message from the Chief Electoral Officer
• Part 1: Recommendations Relating to Electoral Communications
• 1. Moving Beyond Advertising
  • 1.1. Transparent Communications
  • 1.2. Government Advertising
  • 1.3. Advertising Blackout Periods
• 2. Reviewing the Third Party Regime
  • 2.1. Third Party Expenses
  • 2.2. Third Party Registration Threshold
  • 2.3. Third Party Contributions
• 3. Pre-Registration of Candidates
• 4. Protecting Against Threats to the Electoral Process
  • 4.1. Prohibiting Certain False Communications
  • 4.2. Broadening the Scope of Existing Prohibitions
  • 4.3. Political Parties That Promote Hatred
• 5. Regulating Channels of Electoral Communication
  • 5.1. Online Platforms
  • 5.2. Digital Advertising Registry
  • 5.3. Voice Calls and Text Messages
  • 5.4. Broadcasting
• 6. Protecting Individuals Receiving Electoral Communications
  • 6.1. Political Entities and Privacy
  • 6.2. Preliminary List of Electors
• Part 2: Recommendations Relating to the Administration of the Canada Elections Act
• 7. Making Canadian Elections More Accessible
  • 7.1. Reducing the Number of Late Special Ballots
  • 7.2. Days of Religious and Cultural Significance
  • 7.3. Improving Service to Long-Term Care Facilities
  • 7.4. Electors Requiring Assistance to Vote
• 8. Serving Political Entities
  • 8.1. Simplifying the Candidate Nomination Process
  • 8.2. Adjusting the Regulated Fundraising Events Regime
  • 8.3. Clarifying Candidate Contribution Rules
  • 8.4. Cryptocurrency and Other Means of Contribution
• 9. Sound Electoral Management
  • 9.1. Cooperating with Provincial and Territorial Election Authorities
  • 9.2. Protecting the Safety and Privacy of Returning Officers
  • 9.3. Facilitating the Recruitment of Returning Officers
  • 9.4. Collecting Demographic Data about Electoral Participants
  • 9.5. More Flexibility for Counting Advance Poll Ballots
  • 9.6. Increasing Trust in Party Expense Returns
• Appendix A: List of Recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer

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