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The March 25 Let People Vote! day of action is part of a growing movement focused on stopping the Harper government from introducing U.S.-style voter suppression into Canadian law.
Ottawa (24 Mar. 2014) — The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is encouraging Canadians to get involved in today's Let People Vote! national day of action against the Conservatives' "Unfair Elections Law." The protests, being spearheaded by the Council of Canadians, Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) and LeadNow are happening at Conservative MP offices and other locations across the country.
U.S.-style voter suppression
There is a growing movement focused on stopping the Harper government from introducing U.S-style voter suppression into Canadian law.
However, while more and more people are speaking out against the Conservatives’ new Elections Act, the federal government is hoping they can pass the bill before more Canadians learn about the threat to our voting rights.
Want to show Conservative MPs the amount of opposition that exists
Organizers are hoping to show Conservative Members of Parliament that people in their home ridings oppose this law, and that there will be real political consequences if they pass it as it stands.
There are protests being held in at least 28 locations across Canada. To find one near you click here.
Majority of Canadians oppose revamped Elections Act
A poll jointly commissioned by the Council of Canadians, the Canadian Federation of Students, and LeadNow found that a majority of Canadians polled opposed many of the proposed changes in the so-called Fair Elections Act, known as Bill C-23. In particular, provisions that would eliminate the voucher system, prevent Elections Canada from publicly reporting on election fraud, and cancel Elections Canada’s research and public education programs received the most significant opposition.
Seventy per cent of respondents said that the act’s elimination of Elections Canada’s ability to publicly report on voter complaints it receives, including about fraudulent calls, makes them less supportive of the legislation.
More information:
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE