Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to be here to represent this bill. This bill proposes various amendments to the Elections and Plebiscites Act.

These amendments are the result of considerable discussion. We started with a review of the CEO’s report on the administration of the general election of 2007. That report was reviewed by the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures. During that review, all the candidates, their official agents and the returning officers were asked for their views and concerns about changes for the next general election. In addition to their consideration of the recommendations from the CEO, the committee also developed some of their own recommendations. The results of these reviews were considered by all Members of the Legislative Assembly and the recommendations were passed as motions in this Assembly.

Those recommendations have served as the basis for the preparation of this bill. Additional discussions at several Caucus meetings finalized the preparation of the bill.

This bill makes some important changes:

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It establishes a new voting opportunity: multi-district polls. This will be another advance opportunity for voters at remote worksites such as the diamond mines and in communities where many residents may be temporarily located, such as an Aurora College campus. It will be up to the CEO to determine where multi-district polls are to be held.

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It also establishes a new identification process at the polls. This closely follows the process for identification during federal elections. Everyone has to show ID establishing residency and identity. If you don’t have ID, another elector can vouch for you only if they have ID.

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It supports the collection of information from Health and Social Services and Education, Culture and Employment. This will permit the CEO to obtain and use the health care plan info from Health and Social Services. That information is likely more accurate than enumerations and post-secondary student financial assistance information. This means we can provide special ballot information to university students while they are here in the summer.

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It also centralizes special ballots. An election official in Yellowknife will manage the special ballot process. This means special ballots should be able to get out faster and be returned to a central address more readily.

I will be pleased to respond to any questions that Members have about these amendments as we go through the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.