Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

Eligible Voters Could Be Disenfranchised By Stricter ID Rules, Groups Say

The Canadian Press, 02 Jul, 2015 11:52 AM
    TORONTO — An advocacy group and a student organization say not allowing people to use voter identification cards as valid ID at the polls could disenfranchise tens of thousands of eligible voters in the upcoming federal election.
     
    The Council of Canadians and the Canadian Federation of Students are in court in Toronto today, seeking an interim injunction against a key provision of the Fair Elections Act.
     
    The organizations want Canada's chief electoral officer to be able to authorize voter identification cards as valid ID, a power that was taken away in the act.
     
    Some 400,000 Canadians used the voter identification cards in the 2011 election as part of a pilot project that Elections Canada wanted to expand to the whole country.
     
    The Harper government made changes to voter identification rules last year out of concern over voter fraud.
     
    Speaking for both groups, lawyer Steven Shrybman says the changes are not justified as there is no evidence of people trying to vote as someone else and will only make it more difficult for some Canadians to vote.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Addiction Specialists Call Tamper-resistant Opioid Formulations A 'Gimmick'

    Addiction Specialists Call Tamper-resistant Opioid Formulations A 'Gimmick'
    Tamper-resistant opioid formulations that are meant to discourage illicit use of the powerful painkillers are a "gimmick" and don't address the problems of over-prescribing, addiction and overdose deaths,

    Addiction Specialists Call Tamper-resistant Opioid Formulations A 'Gimmick'

    In Search For 'Prince Charming,' Luka Magnotta Joins Dating Site For Prisoners

    OTTAWA — Luka Rocco Magnotta, the convicted killer whose grisly crimes made headlines around the world, is looking for a "prince charming" on a matchmaking website for prisoners.

    In Search For 'Prince Charming,' Luka Magnotta Joins Dating Site For Prisoners

    Smarter Approach To Defence Spending Could Save $10 Billion: Report

    Smarter Approach To Defence Spending Could Save $10 Billion: Report
    The study by UBC professor Michael Byers says the government needs to rethink major purchases like the F-35 fighter jets and reallocate funding to the military's more immediate priorities.

    Smarter Approach To Defence Spending Could Save $10 Billion: Report

    Canadian Museum For Human Rights In Winnipeg Has A New President, CEO

    Canadian Museum For Human Rights In Winnipeg Has A New President, CEO
    John Young has been appointed as president and CEO. Young was interim provost of the University of Northern British Columbia.

    Canadian Museum For Human Rights In Winnipeg Has A New President, CEO

    Quebec Hopes $9-billion Maritime Strategy Will Create 30,000 Jobs

    MONTREAL — The Quebec government has announced a $9-billion plan to develop the province's maritime infrastructure.

    Quebec Hopes $9-billion Maritime Strategy Will Create 30,000 Jobs

    Justin Trudeau Says A Liberal Government Would Put A Price On Carbon Pollution

    He told media in Vancouver that within 90 days of taking office, his government would map out a plan to reduce the country's collective carbon footprint.

    Justin Trudeau Says A Liberal Government Would Put A Price On Carbon Pollution