Advertisement

Marc Mayrand to spend last months on recommending legislative changes

Marc Mayrand, Chief Electoral Officer holds a news conference to discuss and provide information for electors regarding the October 19th Federal General Election, in Ottawa, Monday September 14, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

OTTAWA – Canada’s elections watchdog will be leaving his post at the end of this year.

Chief electoral officer Marc Mayrand says he wants to give his successor time to shape the future direction of Elections Canada before Canadians head back to the polls in 2019.

READ MORE: Chief Electoral Officer to suggest future elections be held on weekends

Mayrand, who was first appointed in 2007, was one of the most strenuous critics of the previous Conservative government’s controversial Fair Elections Act.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

WATCH: NDP uses Mayrand’s critique of Fair Elections Act to hammer Conservatives

Amendments to the original bill allayed most of his fears, although Mayrand remained concerned the changes did not give the elections commissioner enough power to investigate suspected breaches of election law.

Story continues below advertisement

Mayrand was also in the job during the 2011 robocalls scandal, when voters reported misleading phone calls about where to vote, and the “in-and-out” affair, which saw ad money funnelled to local campaigns to dodge spending limits.

READ MORE: Trudeau sorry for blaming opposition parties for electoral reform delay

Mayrand, whose last day will be Dec. 28, says he plans to finish recommending to Parliament the legislative changes necessary to modernize the electoral process, while safeguarding and even improving integrity and fairness.

Sponsored content

AdChoices