There’s very little time to pass electoral reform legislation if it’s to come into effect for Canada’s 2015 federal election says an Official Opposition critic. And the delay in the start of House of Commons session, because of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s decision to prorogue parliament, will really put the reform in jeopardy.
Craig Scott, is the Official Opposition critic on parliamentary and democratic reform. He says it’s crucial that legislation gets passed before early 2014, if the changes are to affect the election in 2015. He echoes the concerns of Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand.
In the 2011 federal election fraudulent calls to voters gave false information about the location of polling stations. Changes to the Election Act would give Elections Canada more powers to deal with such fraud.
On Wednesday (August 21) Scott released a statement titled: “Conservatives risk delaying new law to fight vote fraud until after next election”.
RCI’s Wojtek Gwiazda spoke to Member of Parliament Craig Scott about his party’s concerns, about the powers of the Chief Electoral Officer, and about Elections Canada, the independent body which is responsible for federal elections.
More information:
Craig Scott press release – here
RCI – Chief Electoral Officer: Canada needs to move from 19th to 21st century (audio report) – here
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