No decision from Elections B.C. on PR vote extension
Elections B.C. is monitoring Canada Post job action daily but has made no decision on whether the province’s electoral reform referendum needs to be extended.
Canada Post is dealing with a fifth week of rotating strikes by thousands of unionized workers as B.C. is in the midst of a mail-in referendum that asks voters whether they want to change to a proportional voting system or stick with first-past-the-post.
On Wednesday, the federal government gave notice that they’re prepared to legislate Canada Post employees back to work as the postal service and union spar over the scale of the backlog that the rotating strikes have created.
Ballots for B.C.’s electoral referendum must be received by Elections B.C. by 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 30.
“The chief electoral officer has the authority to extend deadlines if necessary and that is a possibility,” Elections B.C. spokesman Andrew Watson said Wednesday.
He noted that B.C. Elections is in regular communication with Canada Post.
“If a change is made, we will communicate it to the public. Our basis for extending the deadline would be if job action prevents voters from participating through no fault of their own,” said Watson.
Watson noted that the situation at Canada Post is fluid, but voters can be assured that if they mail their completed voting package Wednesday it will be received for counting.
Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu said Wednesday that 48-hours notice is required before introducing back-to-work legislation, but insisted that having done so doesn’t mean the government will make the move to end rotating strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.
Voters can also return their ballots in person at referendum centres throughout B.C.
Last week, the No B.C. Proportional Representation Society called on Elections B.C. to extend the voting period, citing the Canada Post dispute and low turnout, which was at 7.4 per cent at the time.
As of Wednesday, Elections B.C. had received 25 per cent of ballots from eligible voters.
Watson said their approach has been communicated to the no pro-rep group.
Said Bill Tieleman, a leader for the No side: “We’ve had rotating Canada Post workers strikes and an abysmal turnout to date. Perhaps it’s time for Elections B.C. to exercise its authority and ensure a reasonable return rate in this referendum.”
The chief electoral officer has the authority to extend deadlines if necessary.”
Andrew Watson