WHEREAS the Government of Canada is expected to enact new legislation Bill C-31 which requires voters to present photo ID to receive and cast a ballot in future federal elections; AND WHEREAS the rationale for this legislated change to ensure the integrity and therefore confidence in the electoral process applies equally to the integrity of elections held at the provincial and local government levels: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to amend the provisions of the Elections Act and the Local Government Act to require voters to present photo ID to receive and cast a ballot in provincial and local government elections, consistent with the requirements of federal elections.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES The Local Government Act Act includes opportunities for presiding election officials to require a person to provide adequate identification or require a solemn declaration. Local governments can also limit the risk by assigning voting places based on residential address polling divisions or by choosing to register all electors at the time of voting. The Ministry of Community Services Ministry has not received evidence that voter fraud related to false identity is occurring. The Government of Canada has not enacted new legislation which requires voters to present photo identification at the time of voting in federal elections. However, if Elections Canada or Elections BC enacts such legislation, the Ministry will monitor its effectiveness before considering a similar change to the Act.