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e-1593 (Electoral system)
E-petition
Initiated by Ade Olumide from Dunrobin, Ontario
Original language of petition: English
Petition to the House of Commons
Whereas:
- S. 67(4)(c) of the Canada Elections Act empowers individuals authorized by a political party to endorse (or withhold endorsement) of a prospective candidate without providing a reason;
- The UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states: “Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions ... without unreasonable restrictions: (a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives, (b) … to be elected...”;
- The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly” and “No one shall be subjected…to attacks upon his honour and reputation.”;
- S. 4 of the Quebec Charter states: “Every person has a right to the safeguard of his dignity, honour and reputation;
- S. 91 of the Canada Elections Act states: “No person shall … knowingly make or publish any false statement of fact in relation to the personal character or conduct of a …prospective candidate.”; and
- A duty to give reasons for endorsing or not endorsing a prospective candidate does not remove a party’s power to not endorse a prospective candidate, as per s. 67(4)(c) of the Canada Elections Act.
We, the undersigned, electors of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to amend s. 67(4)(c) of the Canada Elections Act by adding at the end, after the word “party”, “with reasons for their endorsement of the candidate or prospective candidate or nomination contestant”.
- Open for signature
- March 26, 2018, at 9:51 a.m. (EDT)
- Closed for signature
- July 24, 2018, at 9:51 a.m. (EDT)
