All-Party Committee Established to Modernize the Elections Act

  • Justice and Public Safety

April 21, 2021

The Honourable John Hogan, QC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, is taking the first step in modernizing the Elections Act,1991 by convening an All-Party Committee to identify means to enhance accessibility of voting in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The All-Party Committee to Modernize the Elections Act will review the facts of the 2021 General Election and provide input in relation to making voting as accessible as possible for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The work of the committee will aid Minister Hogan in fulfilling the Premier’s request to modernize the Elections Act, 1991.

The Committee will consist of four Government Members of the House of Assembly, two members of the Official Opposition, one member of the Third Party, one Independent MHA, and the Chair, Minister Hogan. Information gathered by the Committee will be considered in advancing amendments to the Act and will be tabled in the House of Assembly.

Minister Hogan will be available to media today (Wednesday, April 21) in the lobby of Confederation Building, East Block, at 1:30 p.m.

The mandate of the All-Party Committee to Modernize the Elections Act can be found in the backgrounder below.

Quote
“It is important that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have a modern electoral system. There is no doubt the most recent election presented challenges and now elected officials must do their job as legislators to focus on the task at hand. As a Government we are committed to working with members of the House of Assembly, stakeholders, and the public to update and modernize our legislation.”
Honourable John Hogan, QC
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

– 30 –

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Media contact
Danielle Barron
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-5188, 691-2944
daniellebarron@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

All-Party Committee to Modernize the Elections Act, 1991

Mandate

An All-Party Committee to Modernize the Elections Act, 1991 will be established. The All-Party Committee will review the facts of the 2021 General Election and provide input in relation to making voting as accessible as possible for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Minister of Justice and Public Safety will consider the work of the Committee in advancing amendments to the Elections Act, 1991. The Committee will consist of Honourable Members from all parties of the House of Assembly.

Purpose

The purpose of the All-Party Committee to Modernize the Elections Act, 1991 is to:

Identify means to enhance accessibility to voting for residents in Newfoundland and Labrador, including but not limited to:

  1. methods for participation in elections;
  2. changing or broadening methods to vote;
  3. reducing barriers for participation in the election process by marginalized groups, including language barriers;
  4. methods to increase public access to the voting process; and
  5. report its findings to the House of Assembly.

Key Principles

  • Collaborative: All parties will follow generally accepted rules of collaborative work such as respect active listening, tolerance of differing views, etc.;
  • Consensus-seeking: Although consensus may not be possible on all points, best efforts will be made to reach consensus on as many key points as possible with the ultimate goal of presenting a consensus report;
  • Open and transparent: Feedback received throughout the consultation process will be made publicly available as soon possible after each session;
  • Accountable: The committee commits to respond to all major points made or ideas proposed by the participants, even if they disagree with or are not supportive of them;
  • Accurate and thorough: Best efforts will be made to capture the views of all those interested in the topic; analysis and summary efforts will strive to keep the “voice” of the presenters intact; and
  • Shared learning: All involved understand that these are complex issues and that there is always more to learn about it; they accept that they can learn from one another.

Membership
The membership of the Committee consists of:

  • Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, Chair;
  • 4 Government MHAs;
  • 2 Official Opposition MHAs;
  • 1 Third Party MHA; and
  • 1 Independent MHA.

Meetings

Business and debrief meetings will be scheduled at the call of the Chair.

Role of Chair

The chair will convene and manage committee meetings in accordance with the Mandate.

Timeline and Committee Wrap-up

The committee will convene at a date to be determined by the Chair and thereafter at regular intervals up to the date on which the Report is tabled in the House of Assembly. The Committee will dissolve upon submission of its report to the House of Assembly.

2021 04 21 12:30 pm