NEW ELECTION ACT FOR SASKATCHEWAN

Legislation to ensure continued accountability and transparency in the operations and financing of provincial elections is before the Saskatchewan Legislature.

"A modern Elections Act is one of the cornerstones of a properly functioning democracy," Justice Minister Frank Quennell said.

The Bill to amend The Election Act, 1996, is the result of the work of a committee comprised of representatives of all three major political parties as well as the Chief Electoral Officer. The Committee identified issues with the operation of the existing Election Act and recommended amendments contained in the legislation before the Assembly.

One of the most significant recommendations of the committee was development of a permanent electronic voter's list. Under the Bill, regulations will allow the Chief Electoral Officer to establish a process to ensure that Saskatchewan has a current and accurate voter's list.

A second significant change is a simplification and improvement in the provision for absentee balloting so that Saskatchewan voters are more able to exercise their franchise during elections.

Other amendments to The Election Act, 1996, include provisions that will:

- Provide that the Chief Electoral Officer will appoint Returning Officers;

- Provide that a Returning Officer is not to break a tie vote;

- Increase the rebate to candidates and political parties to match federal levels;

- Simplify authorization on advertisements; and,

- Provide for the reservation of a name for a political party.

Changes are included to accommodate recent Supreme Court decisions regarding prisoner voting and reducing the number of candidates required to remain a registered political party from 10 candidates to two candidates.

Quennell thanked the membership of the committee and the respective caucuses of the political parties for their co-operation and hard work in identifying the changes outlined in the Bill.

"I would also like to thank our new Chief Electoral Officer and his staff for their assistance in identifying a number of procedural and practical changes and assisting the committee in understanding the operations of this complicated legislation," Quennell said.

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For More Information, Contact:

Andrew Dinsmore Justice Regina Phone: (306) 787-8606