The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Stéphane Perrault, is ready to act so that extremist groups can no longer be recognized as political parties, a privilege that currently makes it easier for them to obtain lists containing the names and addresses of electors. and allows them to benefit from tax exemptions.
Posted at 6:35 a.m.
Stéphane Perrault told federal deputies that he was preparing protective measures in this direction.
Last year, the minister responsible for Elections Canada, Dominic LeBlanc, asked the Chief Electoral Officer to tackle the problem after it was shown that organizations promoting racism, anti-Semitism or of homophobia had the possibility of benefiting from certain advantages dedicated to political parties.
For example, the Canadian Nationalist Party, a far-right Toronto-area party that promotes a state dominated by European-Canadians, was recognized as a political party in Canada in 2019.
At a meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, Liberal MP Ryan Turnbull questioned the Chief Electoral Officer on the ability of supremacist groups to enjoy certain privileges under the Elections Act .
Stéphane Perrault replied that this was a source of concern for him and indicated that he would submit recommendations next month to Parliament. In particular, he is considering tightening the criteria for an organization to be recognized as a political party.
Stéphane Perrault’s proposals should also contain measures to facilitate voting in remote areas. First Nations have reported, in some cases, an inability to access polling stations.