The Voice - Elections Canada with Jessica B

Learn about the accessible tools that Elections Canada offers the community.

Elections Canada is the independent, nonpartisan agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums. Their mission is ensuring that Canadians can exercise a democratic right to vote and be a candidate 

Transcript

Teresa M, VAD Society

Welcome to the voice of Albertans with Disabilities podcast from March 2025. I'm Teresa Makarewich, your host and VADS program and services manager. Thank you for joining us today. Voice of Albertans with disabilities gratefully acknowledges that what we call Alberta is the traditional and ancestral territories and gathering place for diverse indigenous people whose histories, languages and cultures continue to influence our vibrant communities. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to the many First Nations, Metis settlements and the six regions of the Metis nation of Alberta and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these general lands for generations. Hye Hye. VAD has been talking with local agencies to learn about the resources that are available to the disability community and today's podcast I'll be talking with Jessica Bruylo with Elections Canada. Elections Canada is the independent, nonpartisan agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums. Their mission is ensuring that Canadians can exercise a democratic right to vote and be a candidate. Thank you for coming on the podcast to discuss Elections Canada. Together, we hold the power. Hello, Jessica. Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your role in the organization?

Jessica B, Elections Canada

Yes. Hi, Teresa. Thanks so much for having me today. I am a regional outreach coordinator with inspire democracy at Elections Canada's national outreach program. I'll speak more about what that means in a second, but I'm located right here in Alberta to connect directly with communities who face barriers to participating in elections. And this is an especially timely piece of information, because a general federal election has been called, Election Day will occur on April 28th. So besides chatting about our work today, I will also be letting folks know about all the information they need to vote this election season.

Teresa M, VAD Society

Can you tell us about Elections Canada as an organization?

Jessica B, Elections Canada

Sure thing. Yeah. As you mentioned, Elections Canada is an independent and nonpartisan agent of Parliament. I would love first to breakdown exactly what this means. So this means that we report directly to Parliament and are therefore not associated with any of the party agendas. This is a real advantage when it comes to Canadian federal elections because as we administer elections, we are impartial. We do so outside of the influence of political parties and their platforms. We are here so Canadians can exercise their democratic rights to vote and be a candidate.

Teresa M, VAD Society

What is your organization's mandate and vision?

Jessica B, Elections Canada

Elections Canada's mandate is wide, but mainly we conduct federal elections within elections Canada. In my team inspire democracy, which collaborates with thousands of organizations across the country,  We are all about ensuring that folks with disabilities and others who face barriers such as new Canadians youth and indigenous electors. Have all the information they need to participate in federal elections. And we define electoral participation quite broadly. It's not just about making voting more accessible, as you might think, but we are also here to share information about the programs and tools that make registering working at the polls and running as a candidate more accessible to.

Teresa M, VAD Society

What does inspire democracy do in the community?

Jessica B, Elections Canada

My team is located across the country. Some of us consult directly with Canadians with disabilities about their experiences participating in elections to learn more about who is experiencing exactly what kind of barriers. Then in response Elections Canada creates or adapts its resources, tools and service offerings to reduce these barriers. Then my section of the team is on the ground with folks with disabilities spreading the word about these tools. This can look like a lot of things. You can find us giving workshops and collaboration with organizations who work with people with disabilities so their communities are aware of the accessibility tools. We also host outreach tables at conferences, resource fairs, and other events. Or you might even see our print materials available in various public spaces. And in support Centers for folks with disabilities, like at your office, Teresa at VAD, for example. I love to mention too that these print materials are available in large print Braille audio CD, E text, and more than 50 different languages.

Teresa M, VAD Society

What are some of the projects inspired democracy has done in the last year?

Jessica B, Elections Canada

Well, one great addition to the program is that they brought me in. I am located right here in Alberta and focused most of my time furthering these initiatives to especially connect with my fellow Albertans. As we know, there are unique barriers and experiences from Albertans with disabilities, so having someone here means that inspired democracy can connect with those experiences. In the last year alone, I have connected with 61 new organizations in Alberta who support folks who experience barriers with their help. I have attended over 50 events and workshops. And distributed thousands of materials all to help ensure that folks who want to participate in elections can.

Teresa M, VAD Society

What kind of programs and tools does Elections Canada have to make voting in a federal election more accessible to people with disability?

Jessica B, Elections Canada

Well, first I want to mention that every single polling place has mandatory criteria they must meet to ensure they are accessible when you arrive at a polling place, there is always someone located at the entrance to help answer any questions or direct you to a number of tools which I think would be helpful for your listeners to know about. The polling places have large grip pencils that are easier to use than typical small pencils. We also have magnifying glasses and large print ballots. We have Braille templates for ballot marking and Braille lists of candidates on Election Day, and Teresa did you know that you can arrange for American Sign Language interpreter at the polls? Yeah, those arrangements have to be made in advance, If you contact Elections Canada though through our website. So I recommend setting it up right away since we are so close to election day, we are also set up through TTY for electors wanting to call us. We also have an assisted voting program. If someone requires assistance marking their ballot, they can bring along a trusted friend or support worker or any elections Canada staff person at the polls who can also assist. The support person makes a solemn declaration stating that they will keep the electors vote a secret. And I will mention another option because it's an accessible way to vote for many, and that is vote by mail. You can make arrangements to have a special ballot mailed to your home. You can mark down the name of the candidate you wish to vote for and then mail it back to Elections Canada through a secure means that still keeps your vote a secret. This is a great option if the other options I mentioned are not accessible to you. This also has to be arranged in advance, so don't wait, head to our website to set this up today if that's something you think would be helpful With you. I know that was a lot of information, but you don't have to remember everything I just told you. If there is one most important take away from this episode, it's to register to vote or make sure that your registration is up to date when you are registered to vote, you will receive a personalized voter information card in the mail a couple weeks away from Election Day. This is a handy one stop piece of information that will tell you not just exactly when to vote or where to vote. It will share with you important accessibility information, including how to arrange for some of those specialty tools I just mentioned. So if you're listening to this now, I encourage you to go to our website, which  is elections.ca. Don't wait, press pause. Do it right now.

Teresa M, VAD Society

Please tell us how to someone get a hold of Elections Canada?

Jessica B, Elections Canada

Well, there are a lot of ways. First is through our website, which is again elections.ca and at the top right hand side of the screen, you will see an icon that says contact us. This will take you to a page with all of our contact message including toll free by phone from Canada and the US at 1-800 463. 6868 or TTY at 1-800-361-8935. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram X, YouTube, and LinkedIn, and you can also reach my team directly by e-mail at inspiredemocracy@elections.ca.

Teresa M, VAD Society

What's an interesting fact about Elections Canada that everyone should know?

Jessica B, Elections Canada

Oh, that's a good question. Well, we know that one of the biggest barriers to voting is understanding all the ways you might be able to prove your identity. So my fun fact is that you don't have to have one piece of government issued photo ID like a drivers license or you can alternatively show 2 pieces of authorized ID, including your voter information card. There is a very long list of what these might be, but it includes things like a library card, a bank statement, correspondence from your university, a blood donor card, a label on a prescription container, or a CNIB card. Ohh, the list just goes on and on, and I think you might be delightfully surprised at some of the options available to you. You can see a full list of that on our website too.

Teresa M, VAD Society

Thank you for your time and energy today, Jessica. Your support to the community is in value to all. Is there anything else you want to say today that I haven't asked you?

Jessica B, Elections Canada

Oh, thank you so much for having me today. No, just a reminder to everyone to check that you are registered to vote and your address is up to date.

Teresa M, VAD Society

Thank you again for joining VADs podcast. voice of Albertans with disabilities is across disability nonprofit organization of and for people with disabilities. VAD is guided by the principles of accessibility, equity and inclusion. Learn about VAD services on our website at vadsociety.ca or call 780-488-9088 For more information. If you have a topic you would like to hear more about in a podcast, please e-mail Teresa at VAD@vadsociety.ca with topic ideas, speaker suggestions, or your feedback signing off for the day. Together, we hold the power.