The province is cracking down on election fraud to protect voters from misleading phone calls and other attempts to prevent them from voting in a provincial election.
Based on reports of potential fraud during the last federal election, the government is strengthening Ontario’s Elections Act and will introduce changes that would, if passed, make it illegal, with a fine of up to $25,000 and up to two years less a day in prison per offence to:
– impede or attempt to stop a citizen from voting by providing false information directly or indirectly, such as providing them with the incorrect polling station where they should be voting, in a provincial election;
– impersonate an agent or representative of Elections Ontario, a provincial candidate, or a representative of a candidate, political party or constituency association; or
– direct or hire someone or a company to commit the above offences.
Ontario Attorney General Chris Bentley said, “Anyone interfering with a person’s right to vote by misinformation is committing fraud. We are cracking down on these acts to stop these culprits. They will face fines up to $25,000 and time in jail.”
The next provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 6.
