New voter ID requirements causing controversy in Canadian Election

New rules require voters to prove their identity and address with approved photo documents.

That may deter some students from voting, said Montreal-based voting advocacy group Apathy is Boring.

"It's just a challenge sometimes, when you're in a student residence, or you've just moved somewhere, and you might not have a lot of bills in your name to provide that proof of address," spokeswoman Ilona Dougherty said.

Some native leaders and advocates for the homeless have also expressed concern about the new requirements.

But people have options, Elections Canada spokesman Gilles Paquin said.

"We make it very accessible" by giving people the option of bringing a driver's license and proof of address such as a utilities bill, he said. "There is no reason you could not be able to vote."

Provide one original piece of identification issued by a government or government agency containing your photo, name and address.
Examples
•    Driver’s Licence
•    Health Card
o    This applies only to Ontario
o    Note: Not all electors in Ontario will have cards with photo, name and address
•    Provincial/Territorial Identification Card (non-drivers) for the provinces/territories of
o    Newfoundland and Labrador
o    Prince Edward Island
o    Nova Scotia
o    New Brunswick
o    Alberta
o    British Columbia
o    Northwest Territories
 

Provide two original pieces of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada. Both pieces must contain your name, and one must also contain your address. Here is the list:

Identity Cards                                 

•    Health Card
•    Social Insurance Number Card
•    Birth Certificate
•    Driver’s Licence
•    Canadian Passport
•    Certificate of Indian Status
•    Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Citizenship Card
•    Credit/Debit Card with elector name
•    Canadian Forces Identity Card
•    Veterans Affairs Canada Health Card
•    Employee Card issued by employer
•    Old Age Security Identification Card
•    Public Transportation Card
•    Student ID Card
•    Library Card
•    Liquor Identification Card
•    Canadian Blood Services/Héma-Québec Card
•    Hospital Card
•    Fishing Licence
•    Wildlife Identification Card
•    Hunting Licence
•    Firearm Acquisition Card/Firearm Possession Card
•    Outdoors Card and Licences
•    Provincial/Territorial Identification Card
•    Local Community Service Centre Card (CLSC)

Original documents (containing name and address)

•    Credit Card Statement
•    Bank Statement
•    Utility Bill (residential telephone, cable TV, public utilities commission, hydro, gas or water)
•    Attestation of Residence issued by the responsible authority of an Indian band or reserve
•    Local Property Tax Assessment
•    School, College or University Report Card or Transcript
•    Residential Lease, Residential Mortgage Statement or Agreement
•    Canada Child Tax Benefit Statement
•    Income Tax Assessment Notice
•    Insurance Policy
•    Government Cheque or Government Cheque Stub with elector name
•    Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid (T4E)
•    Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions/Quebec Pension Plan Statement of Participation
•    Statement of Old Age Security (T4A) or Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits (T4AP)
•    Statement of Benefits from provincial workplace safety or insurance board
•    Statement of Direct Deposit for provincial works or provincial disability support program
•    Vehicle Ownership
•    Vehicle Insurance
•    Attestation of Residence issued by the responsible authorities (shelters, soup kitchens, student/senior residences, long-term care facilities)
•    Letter from public curator