The next municipal elections should take place partly on the internet in Montreal, Quebec and Laval, Élections Québec announced on Wednesday.
The three cities (as well as 18 others) were selected to be part of a pilot project for the 2025 local elections.
“Internet voting will be offered to voters in certain districts or boroughs, which the participating cities will determine during the year,” Élections Québec indicated in a press release.
“The approach is intended to be cautious and gradual,” continued the organization. “The sectors chosen must represent approximately 10% of the voters of each municipality. »
In addition to Montreal, Quebec and Laval, voters in Lévis, Gatineau, Mirabel, Terrebonne and Trois-Rivières will also be able to vote online. Other smaller municipalities are also part of the cohort.
It was last November that Montreal submitted its application for the pilot project. “We raise our hands, but we remain cautious about it,” said the elected representative of the Plante administration responsible for the file, Robert Beaudry, to the municipal council. “We certainly want it to be a positive experience, one that makes us try things. »
Municipal elected officials then expressed their reservations. “For Montreal to be in there for the first pilot project, I think it’s risky,” said independent municipal councilor Craig Sauvé, referring to the significant reliability problems of certain elections held via the Internet. “Maybe we should wait until it proves itself in smaller municipalities before we raise our hands. That would be wise, I think. »