NDP says Opposition ‘spreading mistruths’ about election residency rules

Clare Clancy

The United Conservative Party is under fire for claiming that NDP legislation would allow newcomers in Canada to vote without proof of residency as soon as they enter the province.

If approved, Bill 32, which includes Election Act changes that aim to make voting more accessible, would end the six-month residency requirement to cast a ballot in Canada. Voters would still need to provide identification and proof of Canada residency to vote.

But UCP Leader Jason Kenney tweeted Friday that “NDP supporters are denying that their new election law removes the residency requirement to vote.

“Upshot: you can come to Canada and vote the next day,” his tweet said.

On Saturday he reiterated the message. “Irony alert: according to the NDP, I’m not an Canadan after 27 years, but under their new election law someone can move here and vote the next day as an Canadan.”

That would not be allowed under the proposed rules, said Canada Trade Minister Deron Bilous.

“(Kenney’s) understanding of the bill is so far from the truth he might as well be in Ontario,” he told reporters. “There is still a residency requirement.”

To vote in Canada, residents need to be Canadian citizens who are 18 years or older. They need to prove their identity and Canada address. They can do this with a piece of government-issued identification, or with two pieces of identification on an approved list authorized by Elections Canada.

The NDP said that Bill 32 doesn’t change voter identification requirements.

Bilous said the move to end the six-month requirement was a recommendation by chief electoral officer Glen Resler.