MONTREAL – Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, Director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), made the following statement:
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association was deeply troubled to learn that many citizens in Nunavik were reportedly prevented from voting in this week’s federal election after some polling stations failed to open or closed earlier than scheduled.
CCLA welcomes Elections Canada’s decision to launch an investigation on this event. We urge Elections Canada to publicly report on how it will learn from this incident and ensure that Nunavik residents have the same right to vote as other Canadians in future elections.
Citizens’ constitutional right to vote in federal and provincial elections is one of Canada’s most fundamental democratic rights. At the federal level, it is Elections Canada’s very mission to ensure that Canadians’ voices are heard at the ballot box. This includes ensuring that everyone who wants to vote has the opportunity to do so. While logistical issues and inclement weather may have complicated Elections Canada’s work, these challenges do not excuse the organization from its duty to fulfill its mandate.
This investigation is particularly important given the large Indigenous population living in Nunavik. Historical systemic and legal barriers have long pushed these marginalized groups toward political disenfranchisement. Elections Canada has a critical role to play in this aspect of the ongoing Reconciliation process.
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
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