Stéphane Perrault
Chief Elections Officer
Elections Canada
30 Victoria Street
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0M6

Via email: [email protected]

To Mr. Perrault:

Re: Review of Polling Station Closures in Nunavik, 2025

As you may be aware, the BC Civil Liberties Association (“BCCLA”) is the oldest human rights and civil liberties organization in Canada. We write in respect of the reported last-minute closures of polling stations in the riding of Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou on Election Day, April 28, 2025[1] (the “Nunavik Closures”). Our supporters are deeply concerned with any denial of voting rights, and this concern is only heightened in cases like this, where the reported closures disproportionately affect Indigenous communities and undermine the constitutionally-required process of reconciliation. We are aware of more than 300 complaints regarding the Nunavik Closures that were submitted to Elections Canada from our membership and supporters, which underscores and demonstrates the public interest in the prompt review and meaningful resolution of this matter.

In reply to these complaints, Elections Canada circulated an email to complainants indicating that “Elections Canada does not conduct enforcement activities, such as investigations” and linking to your statement of 30 April 2025, in which you advise that Elections Canada would be conducting a “review” and publishing the findings. These two messages, to lay audiences, appear contradictory.  This apparent contradiction decreases confidence that the Nunavik Closures will be fully explored, and any contributing issues addressed before the next election. Our office has made inquiries and now understands that the review will be undertaken by an Elections Integrity Unit or Office within Elections Canada and that the results are anticipated to be published in fall 2025. We are encouraged that a review appears to be in progress. However, clear, regular, and transparent communication from Elections Canada is imperative in a case as high-profile and concerning as this one, to maintain the public confidence in the fair and equitable administration of elections.

We request that you provide us, and the public more generally, with further information about the progress of the review into the Nunavik Closures. In particular, we urge you to publish an anticipated timeline for completion of the published report, and to update the public if and when this timeline changes. We also strongly encourage regular updates on the status of the review, in order to reassure the public that the review remains a priority and is being resourced accordingly.

Thank you again for your attention to this gravely concerning matter. We look forward to reviewing the report when it becomes available.

Sincerely,
Aislin Jackson
Staff Counsel

[1] Samuel Wat, “’I lost my legal right to vote’: Booths closed early — or didn’t open at all — in some Nunavik villages”, CBC News (28 April 2025), online: <https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/planes-leave-nunavik-no-vote-1.7521042>