OUR MISSION
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In his report on the May 2 federal election, chief electoral officer Marc Mayrand said he is seeking approval to test Internet voting. […] "Elections Canada has reached a point where the limited flexibility of the current legislation no longer allows us to meet the evolving needs of electors and candidates," Maynard told CBC. Winnipeg Free Press, October 12, 2011 |
The IVAC brings together experts, specialists, academics and other Canadians committed to addressing what’s led to a nationwide feeling of being disenfranchised and alienated from government. The result is plummeting turnouts at the ballot box.
The inevitability of incorporating the Internet into our system of parliamentary democracy requires something more than conducting study after study. It’s time to move beyond the analysis phase and implement a bold strategy. We believe that the time savings and convenience of casting votes at home or office on the Web will reverse these trends.
The IVAC Board of Directors agrees with what the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada says. But it doesn’t go far enough. We are of the view that an Internet voting mechanism shouldn’t be limited to election time, and ought to be integrated into how government functions at its core. It’s time to reformulate how Canadian politics on the federal, provincial and municipal levels operates so that people nationally, regionally and locally get to decide what elected parties, leaders and cabinet ministers do.
It’s undeniable government on all three levels is substantially out of touch with our interests, needs and aspirations. Technology has advanced swiftly in the last 20 years, allowing for a new way for the ‘will of the people’ to be reflected in policy and decision-making. Instead of party leaders who misrepresent to win elections, the unilateral amendment of voter-approved policies and introduction of new ones post-election, plus the non-transparent influence of special interest groups, wealthy individuals and powerful corporations the IVAC proposes that 33 million Canadians will be the only ones that have a direct and regular say in what's done in their name.
With the Web now ubiquitous - home, office, universities, community colleges, public libraries and mobile, it’s time to implement an Internet referendum voting system on policy.
