SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Bill

Bill C-297

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 22, 2022
An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (Indigenous languages)
  • Bill C-297, also known as the An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (Indigenous languages), aims to make the voting process more accessible for Indigenous electors. The bill proposes that in certain situations, ballots should be printed in Indigenous languages. This means that in electoral districts located on Indigenous land, the Chief Electoral Officer has the authority to require that all ballots be prepared and printed in both official languages (English and French) as well as the Indigenous language(s) spoken by the electors. The appropriate writing systems for each language, including syllabics if applicable, will be used. The bill also states that if an elector requests a special ballot and asks for it to be printed in an Indigenous language, the Chief Electoral Officer must fulfill this request. Overall, the purpose of the bill is to promote inclusivity and enhance the democratic participation of Indigenous communities in ele
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • Steelman Argument in Favor of Bill C-297: Bill C-297, "An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (Indigenous languages)," seeks to provide ballots in Indigenous languages in certain circumstances. This amendment aims to address a long-standing issue of language accessibility and inclusivity within the electoral process for Indigenous communities. One of the core principles of democracy is ensuring equal participation and representation for all citizens. By providing ballots in Indigenous languages, this amendment acknowledges the cultural and linguistic diversity of Indigenous communities and empowers them to fully engage in the democratic process. It recognizes that language barriers can disproportionately impact marginalized groups, making it difficult for them to exercise their right to vote. Moreover, providing ballots in Indigenous languages promotes cultural preservation and recognizes the importance of Indigenous languages as

SteelmanSpren Against

  • Steelman Argument: Opposing Bill C-297 Bill C-297 proposes to amend the Canada Elections Act to provide electors with ballots in Indigenous languages in certain circumstances. While the intention behind this bill may be to promote inclusivity and ensure equal access to the electoral process, there are several valid concerns that can be raised. One concern is the potential logistical challenges and financial burden associated with implementing this proposed provision. Printing and distributing ballots in Indigenous languages would require significant resources and may require the hiring of translators or experts in each language. This could have a financial impact on the electoral process, diverting funds away from other important areas such as voter education or improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the linguistic diversity among Indigenous languages poses a challenge. There are over 60 distinct I
House First Reading
  • June 22, 2022, 2 p.m.
  • In Progress
  • Read