OTTAWA – After two weeks of deliberation, Justice David Stinson of the Ontario Superior Court will render his decision tomorrow (Friday, July 17) at noon EDT on the request for injunction against key provisions of the Fair Elections Act.
Part of a larger legal challenge by the Council of Canadians, the Canadian Federation of Students and three individual electors, the case for an injunction was made on the grounds that the new rules threatened the voting rights of tens of thousands of Canadians.
“Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy,” says Garry Neil, Executive Director of the Council of Canadians. “The right to vote of all Canadians must not only be protected but encouraged.”
If granted, the injunction will allows Canadians to use their Voter Information Cards, along with another piece of authorized ID, to prove their eligibility to vote.
If declined, the stricter rules of the Fair Elections Act will apply, preventing voters from using their Voter Information Cards as proof of residence. Instead, they will be required to prove both their identity and their address with other means of identification, which can be difficult or impossible for vulnerable groups like students, seniors in long-term care facilities, Indigenous people and the homeless.
Courthouse, 361 University Avenue, room 2-8, Toronto
11 a.m. release in lockup
12 noon release
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