Dear Editor,

I remember the first time I voted in a federal election. I had recently turned 18 and felt it was my duty as a Canadian citizen to cast my ballot. I have since voted in every election — be it municipal, provincial or federal — and as a woman, I have always felt it was important that people worked hard to secure the right to vote for everyone.

When the news of the Fair Elections Act came out, I was appalled and left speechless. This act is currently being fast-tracked through government and should concern everyone for several reasons. If passed without significant amendments, Bill C-23, the Fair Elections Act, would:

  • Hamper officials’ ability to investigate electoral fraud (such as the robo-call scandal)
  • Muzzle Elections Canada
  • Give the governing party the power to name key election staffers
  • Allow political parties to keep voter database information from investigators
  • Limit political parties fully reporting their use of public funds
  • Suppress voters
  • Raise political contribution and spending limits.

Should Bill C-23 become law in its current form, Canada would suffer the dubious distinction of being a country that had limited the fundamental and most basic democratic rights of its citizens. We should all be wary of this bill and its impact on Canadian democracy.

Chelsea Werrun

Merritt