Amend Elections Act: agents and deposit
Petitioners ask that the Canada Elections Act be amended to bar any person serving as official agent for more than one federal candidate and to require a personal $500 refundable deposit refunded only if the candidate gets >0.1% of votes in the district. The government responds it recognizes the issue and is considering it.
Why we would sign this petition
- Limits coordinated candidate stacking to shorten ballots and reduce voter confusion, improving accessibility for voters and election workers.
- Reduces administrative burden on Elections Canada and may speed vote counting, helping preserve election administration and integrity.
- A personal $500 refundable deposit refundable only if a candidate exceeds 0.1% would deter mass protest filings while returning funds to minimally supported candidates.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- May restrict freedom of expression and political participation by making it harder for protest or independent candidates to stand.
- A personal deposit could exclude low‑income or grassroots candidates, biasing access toward wealthier individuals.
- Barring one agent from multiple campaigns may create staffing problems for small campaigns and might not fully stop coordinated tactics.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada Clear and understandable electoral ballots are essential for voter participation and trust in our democratic process; Coordinated attempts to register numerous protest candidates have resulted in excessively long ballots; These tactics can confuse or discourage voters; and Excessive candidate stacking creates unnecessary administrative burdens for Elections Canada and risks undermining the integrity of federal elections. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada., call upon the Government of Canada to: 1. Amend the Canada Elections Act to prohibit an individual from serving as the Official Agent for more than one candidate in a federal election; and 2. Require each candidate seeking federal office to pay a refundable deposit of $500, personally paid, to be refunded only if the candidate receives more than 0.1% of the valid votes cast in that electoral district.
Government response
Response by the Prime Minister of Canada Signed by Kevin Lamoureux The Government of Canada recognizes the challenges to election administration and voter accessibility caused by the actions of the Longest Ballot Committee. The Longest Ballot Committee is a coordinated movement in Canada known for registering a large number of independent candidates who are not seeking to serve as Members of Parliament, but rather to protest Canada’s electoral system and the role of Members of Parliament in shaping electoral laws. Ballots in ridings targeted by the Longest Ballot Committee, including during the 45th general election in April 2025, are significantly longer, creating confusion and accessibility issues for some voters and election workers, particularly those with disabilities. The Longest Ballot Committee also unfairly questions the legitimacy of other independent candidates, in addition to complicating and delaying vote counting. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees Canadians’ rights to freedom of expression and to participate meaningfully in elections; however, concerns have arisen regarding the impact of long ballots on voters, candidates and election workers. The Government acknowledges the continued efforts of Elections Canada in ensuring that the federal ballot's design is adapted to fit any number of confirmed candidates as needed. Despite the challenges resulting from unduly long ballots, Canadians can have confidence that elections continue to remain secure, reliable and fair. The Government of Canada shares Canadians’ concerns and is carefully considering this matter, including findings from the study into the actions of the Longest Ballot Committee by the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs.