Ottawa (May 8, 2009) –The ability of Aboriginal electors to exercise their fundamental  right to vote was negatively affected by legislation introducing new voter identification requirements, a report by the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples concludes. Finding that no Canadian should be unfairly burdened in the exercise of their right to vote, the committee urges Parliament and Elections Canada to address the adverse impacts for those groups facing particular challenges in meeting the new voter identification requirements.

In 2007, Parliament passed legislation introducing new voter identification requirements for electors to prove both their identity and residence. According to the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, the new voting requirements represent significant changes to past voting procedures and resulted in particular challenges to Aboriginal voters in the 40^th general election. Rural and northern voters, as well as seniors, students and the homeless were also identified as groups negatively affected by the new identification rules.

“Members of this committee are deeply concerned that the introduction of new voting requirements, though unintentional, has adversely affected the ability of Aboriginal Peoples to exercise their fundamental right to vote,” said Senator Gerry St. Germain, chair of the committee.

“Our committee is very concerned and very conscious of groups who are impacted by this legislation, especially voters living in rural and northern communities,” said Senator Nick Sibbeston, deputy chair of the committee.

To reduce the unintended barriers experienced by Aboriginal electors due to the new identification requirements, the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples urges Parliament and Elections Canada to further investigate and consider the following issues:

• The certificate of Indian Status in combination with the voter information card received by all registered electors be sufficient to meet the requirements of proof of voter eligibility of First Nations individuals.

• Adequate support is made available to Elections Canada for the recruitment and training of polling officers in order to ensure that a greater number of polling stations are situated in or near reserve communities across Canada.

• Elections Canada needs to work closely with Aboriginal organizations, such as the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, the National Association of Friendship Centres, the Métis National Council, and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and continue to work with the Assembly of First Nations, to better determine the needs of off reserve, urban, Métis and Inuit electors.

• Elections Canada should be provided with sufficient flexibility in the application of law to better meet the unique circumstances of northern and rural communities.

The report is available by visiting: www.senate-senat.ca/abor-autoch.asp.

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