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One hundred thousand Canadians have already joined forces with the Canadian Federation
of Students, Leadnow, and the Council of Canadians to raise the alarm about voter suppression
in Canada.
The Conservative Party's "Fair Elections Act", Bill C-23, will bring US-style voter suppression
to Canada.
This bill, more accurately known as the Unfair Elections Act, is a serious attack on our
democracy and makes it harder for Canadians to vote, especially students, aboriginal people,
low-income Canadians, and seniors.
Changes to voter identification will prohibit the use of vouching and the use of voter information
cards in order to cast a ballot.
In 2011, 120,000 Canadians were vouched for at the polls and through an Elections Canada
pilot program up to 73% of youth, aboriginal people and seniors used voter information
cards.
When compared to peer nations, Canada already has amongst the lowest voter turnout. During
the 2011 federal election, only 53 percent of all adult Canadians and 38 percent of youth
cast a ballot.
If the Unfair Elections Act is passed, over one-hundred thousand Canadians could be denied
their vote.
The Unfair Elections Act will also make it illegal for Elections Canada to encourage
Canadians to vote, cancelling all public education and democratic outreach programs, and ensuring
a continued decline in voter turnout and engagement.
The Act actually strips the Commissioner of Elections Canada of investigative powers and
independence. So the criminals who organised the misleading live calls and robobcalls during
the 2011 election may never be brought to justice.
Join us, and Canadians across the country to protect your right to vote. Add your voice
at letpeoplevote.ca