:: PRESS RELEASE :: March 19, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Chilliwack Constituents raise Concerns with Conservatives Fair Elections Act. Chilliwack, B.C. – Constituents of Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon are joining thousands of Canadians across the country to oppose changes that would erode voter participation in upcoming elections. Bill C-23 titled the Fair Elections Act was tabled February 4 by Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre. While the proposed legislation contains some positive steps to curb illegal robocalls, it also includes measures that would prohibit promotion campaigns encouraging people to vote and eliminate vouching for voters who are not registered on the national voters list. More than 54,000 Canadians have signed a petition by LeadNow opposing Bill C-23. In support of the Canadian-wide initiative, Chilliwack residents are planning to deliver a copy of the petition to Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP Mark Strahl at noon on Tuesday, March 25th. Voter apathy is a real problem in this Country. It’s already challenging to get my kids interested in their democratic rights, we don’t need legislation to further deter them from participating explains Wayne Froese, father of four and local resident in Chilliwack. What we need is election reform that increases voting democracy in Canada, not further erodes it. According to past election statistics, voter segments that traditionally show weak election participation – young people, Aboriginal people, and low-income people – are further handicapped by provisions in the proposed legislation: • Elections Canada would be prohibited from promotion campaigns that encourage people to vote – in the past these have been especially tailored for young people • Elimination of vouching for a voter not on the voters list – 120,000 votes were cast in 2011 on this basis, primarily by First Nations, youth and low-income voters. There is no evidence that Voter IDs are an election problem, but there is strong evidence that voter suppression is, noted Louis De Jaeger, Liberal riding association president for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon. Analysts have noted that the populations who would be most disenfranchised by the proposed changes to election rules, tend not to vote Conservative. - 30 - For more information or to arrange interviews, contact: Wayne Froese: 604.795.3891 Louis De Jaeger: 604.891.4298 Gwen OMahony: newg604@hotmail
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 23:05:56 +0000
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