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Cision Canada
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
SUPERIOR COURT STRIKES DOWN TWO-YEAR LIMIT ON MAIL-IN VOTING FOR QUEBECERS ABROAD Français
, Aug. 20, 2025 /CNW/ - In 2022, Bruno Gélinas-Faucher, represented by the law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, filed an application for judicial review before the Superior Court of Quebec seeking to have section 282 of the Election Act declared unconstitutional, insofar as it deprives certain Quebec voters of their most fundamental democratic right: the right to vote in provincial elections. Following a week-long trial held from June 2 to 6, 2025, the Superior Court rendered its judgment on August 14, ruling in favour of Mr. Gélinas-Faucher and declaring section 282 invalid. Section 282 of the Election Act allows Quebec voters to vote by mail when temporarily leaving Quebec, for example for studies, but only for a period of two years. After this period, voters abroad lost the right to vote by mail. As a result, they are required to travel physically to Quebec to vote, which can be lengthy, costly, and difficult, or even impossible. According to the Superior Court, by withdrawing the right to vote by mail from voters who have been absent for more than two years, section 282 of the Election Act deprives them of a real possibility to vote in Quebec elections, and thus contravenes the right to vote guaranteed by section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This decision has a significant impact for the tens of thousands of voters who temporarily leave Quebec for studies, work, or for family or personal reasons. From now on, their right to participate in provincial elections is protected, even after more than two years of absence. The judgment may still be appealed. The Attorney General of Quebec has not announced his intention as of the date of this press release. Mr. Gélinas-Faucher and his lawyers are available for interviews upon request at the contact information below. About Bruno Gélinas-Faucher Bruno Gélinas-Faucher is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of New Brunswick. After completing his undergraduate law studies at the University of Ottawa and graduate studies at the University of Cambridge, he worked as a law clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada, then with the President of the International Court of Justice. He then pursued doctoral studies in international law at the University of Cambridge, before returning to Canada to continue his academic career. About Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt Osler is a leading law firm practicing nationally and internationally from offices in Canada and New York. Members of the Osler team—Mtre Julien Morissette (partner and lawyer), Mtre François Laurin-Pratte (counsel), Mtre Quentin Montpetit (lawyer), and Mtre Rachelle Saint-Laurent (lawyer)—are acting pro bono as counsel for the applicant in this case.
Malaysian Reserve
09-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
The control of election expenses during the election in the electoral division of Arthabaska
QUÉBEC CITY, July 9, 2025 /CNW/ – The rules governing election expenses incurred as part of the by-election in the Arthabaska electoral division apply as of today and up to the closing of the polling stations on Monday, August 11, 2025. The preliminary election expenses limit for each candidate in the Arthabaska electoral division is $112,739.57. This limit corresponds to $1.79 per person entered on the list of electors at the time the order was issued; this list includes 62,983 people. The final limit will be calculated following the revision of the electoral list on August 8, 2025. The official limit will be the higher of the two amounts. Rules governing election expenses In order to limit the influence of money in the political debate, Québec has rules that are unique in the country with respect to the control of election expenses and political financing. There are three key elements to this framework: In the interest of fairness, political parties and candidates are subject to an election expense limit. This limit is calculated based on the number of people registered on the electoral list in the electoral division (details of this calculation are given above). Only official agents of political parties and candidates may incur or authorize election expenses. In other words, so as to not to undermine the fairness sought, businesses, interest groups and citizens cannot use their financial means to try and influence the political debate. That said, a few exceptions allow third parties to take part in the political debate; for example, they can hold a public meeting or broadcast a program comparison. Official agents will have to account for all election expenses incurred, in particular by filing a report. This accountability, which is designed to ensure transparency, will be accessible to the public and verified by Élections Québec. In addition, electoral legislation stipulates that only electors can make political contributions. This legislation also limits the amount of their contributions to $100 per year for each political entity. During a by-election, electors domiciled in the electoral division in question may contribute up to an additional $100, from the date on which the seat becomes vacant until the 30th day after polling day. Legal persons, such as companies, associations and unions, cannot contribute to the financing of political parties and candidates. They cannot make a gift of money or offer services or goods free of charge. Third-party intervention Since the Election Act favours candidate and political party interventions during election periods, citizens and companies cannot spend money to contribute to the electoral debate. Any intervention that has a cost is illegal if it has a partisan effect or if it offers visibility to a party or candidate unless it is authorized by an official agent. During the election period, electors can express their opinions so long as doing so costs nothing. For example, they can broadcast a political opinion in a free publication on social media. In this regard, the Élections Québec website provides information and an explanatory guide (PDF) with concrete examples. Advertisement blackout periods Advertising messages are prohibited in print media, electronic media, radio and television for the first seven days of the election campaign, i.e., from today until July 15 inclusively. This prohibition also covers advertising posted in spaces rented for this purpose, including on the Internet and in social media. However, it does not prevent election signs from being posted or pamphlets from being distributed. On election day, election advertising will also be prohibited in the print media, electronic media, radio and television. For more information Discover the web section on sources of funding for political entities; Read the Rules for participating in the electoral debate web page; Read the press release A by-election will be held on August 11, 2025, in the electoral division of Arthabaska. About Élections Québec Élections Québec is a non-partisan and independent institution striving to ensure the integrity, transparency, and reliability of elections and to contribute to the vitality of the Québec democracy. Our website includes a section for the media. In addition to our press releases, you will find information on topics of interest to journalists, including the publication of election results. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our press releases by email.
Cision Canada
09-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
The control of election expenses during the election in the electoral division of Arthabaska Français
QUÉBEC CITY, July 9, 2025 /CNW/ - The rules governing election expenses incurred as part of the by-election in the Arthabaska electoral division apply as of today and up to the closing of the polling stations on Monday, August 11, 2025. The preliminary election expenses limit for each candidate in the Arthabaska electoral division is $112,739.57. This limit corresponds to $1.79 per person entered on the list of electors at the time the order was issued; this list includes 62,983 people. The final limit will be calculated following the revision of the electoral list on August 8, 2025. The official limit will be the higher of the two amounts. Rules governing election expenses In order to limit the influence of money in the political debate, Québec has rules that are unique in the country with respect to the control of election expenses and political financing. There are three key elements to this framework: In the interest of fairness, political parties and candidates are subject to an election expense limit. This limit is calculated based on the number of people registered on the electoral list in the electoral division (details of this calculation are given above). Only official agents of political parties and candidates may incur or authorize election expenses. In other words, so as to not to undermine the fairness sought, businesses, interest groups and citizens cannot use their financial means to try and influence the political debate. That said, a few exceptions allow third parties to take part in the political debate; for example, they can hold a public meeting or broadcast a program comparison. Official agents will have to account for all election expenses incurred, in particular by filing a report. This accountability, which is designed to ensure transparency, will be accessible to the public and verified by Élections Québec. In addition, electoral legislation stipulates that only electors can make political contributions. This legislation also limits the amount of their contributions to $100 per year for each political entity. During a by-election, electors domiciled in the electoral division in question may contribute up to an additional $100, from the date on which the seat becomes vacant until the 30th day after polling day. Legal persons, such as companies, associations and unions, cannot contribute to the financing of political parties and candidates. They cannot make a gift of money or offer services or goods free of charge. Third-party intervention Since the Election Act favours candidate and political party interventions during election periods, citizens and companies cannot spend money to contribute to the electoral debate. Any intervention that has a cost is illegal if it has a partisan effect or if it offers visibility to a party or candidate unless it is authorized by an official agent. During the election period, electors can express their opinions so long as doing so costs nothing. For example, they can broadcast a political opinion in a free publication on social media. In this regard, the Élections Québec website provides information and an explanatory guide (PDF) with concrete examples. Advertisement blackout periods Advertising messages are prohibited in print media, electronic media, radio and television for the first seven days of the election campaign, i.e., from today until July 15 inclusively. This prohibition also covers advertising posted in spaces rented for this purpose, including on the Internet and in social media. However, it does not prevent election signs from being posted or pamphlets from being distributed. On election day, election advertising will also be prohibited in the print media, electronic media, radio and television. For more information About Élections Québec Élections Québec is a non-partisan and independent institution striving to ensure the integrity, transparency, and reliability of elections and to contribute to the vitality of the Québec democracy. Our website includes a section for the media. In addition to our press releases, you will find information on topics of interest to journalists, including the publication of election results.
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
A by-election will be held on August 11, 2025, in the electoral division of Arthabaska
QUÉBEC CITY, July 8, 2025 /CNW/ - A by-election will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, in the electoral division of Arthabaska, in the Centre-du-Québec region. Under an order of the gouvernement du Québec issued today, the Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Jean-François Blanchet, is responsible for organizing the election and ensuring its integrity. Here are some important dates in the election period: Broadcasting, publishing or posting election-related advertising prohibited: from July 9 to 15 (election signs are allowed); Nomination period: from July 10 to 26; Registration or modification period to the list of electors: from July 21 to August 7; Voting days at the office of the returning officer: August 1 and 2 and August 5, 6 and 7; Advance poll days: August 3 and 4. Working at the election Anyone who has the right to vote in Québec may apply online to work at this election. You do not have to live in the electoral division to work there. Young people aged 16 and 17 can also work during this election, if they are Canadian citizens and have been domiciled in Québec for at least six months. This work experience will give these future electors a better understanding of the polling proceedings. Deadlines for certain voting options Electors who want to use certain voting options must apply before a certain deadline. Electors who want to register to vote outside Québec, which is done by mail, must do so no later than July 23; Electors who are unable to travel for health reasons may apply to vote at home until July 28; Those wanting to register to vote in their room in a residential facility (rehabilitation centre, hospital centre, palliative care hospice or addiction resource) must do so no later than July 28. Political contributions Electors can contribute up to $100 per year to each of the authorized political parties and independent candidates. From the date on which the seat of MNA (member of the National Assembly) became vacant until September 10, electors in the Arthabaska electoral division can also contribute up to an additional $100. Therefore, they can contribute up to $200 in 2025. Information on by-elections in Québec and on the Arthabaska electoral division The Election Act stipulates that the government must order a by-election when an MNA (member of the National Assembly) seat in the Assemblée nationale becomes vacant more than six months before the date of the next general elections. The government must issue the order instituting the by-election no later than six months after the vacancy of the seat. The MNA (member of the National Assembly) seat in the Arthabaska electoral division became vacant on March 18, 2025. For the October 3, 2022, provincial general election, more than 60,000 people were registered on the list of electors in the Arthabaska electoral division. The voter turnout was 74.10%; across Québec, it was 66.15%. The last by-election in Arthabaska was held on December 5, 2016. Voter turnout was 43.14%. An information sheet on the Arthabaska electoral division can be found on the Élections Québec website ( About Élections Québec Élections Québec is a non-partisan and independent institution striving to ensure the integrity, transparency, and reliability of elections and to contribute to the vitality of the Québec democracy. Our website includes a section for the media. In addition to our press releases, you will find information on topics of interest to journalists, including the publication of election results and our election glossary.
Business Recorder
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Bandial had sought increase in number of SC judges: CB
ISLAMABAD: The constitutional bench Thursday revealed that in fact former Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial had asked for increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel divulged that while responding to the arguments of Hamid Khan that more judges were inducted in the Supreme Court (SC) so they be included in the constitutional bench for hearing of review petitions against the SC's judgment on reserved seats. Hamid Khan, representing the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), contended that was the reason the judges, who passed the majority judgment, including the author judge, were excluded from the bench. He also complained of not fixing review petitions against the majority judgment, which was delivered on July 12, 2024, before the enactment of 26th Constitutional Amendment. 8-member bench to hear pleas against SC bill Justice Mandokhel said; 'According to my information, request for increasing judges in Supreme Court was from former chief justice Umar Ata Bandial.' Justice Amin, explaining reason for delay in fixation of review petition, said because of two members of the Committee, set up under Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023, the reviews were delayed. Justice Amin further said after the 12th July judgment, when review petitions were filed then former Chief Justice (Qazi Faez) called a Committee's meeting to decide about hearing of review petitions. However, two members [Justice Mansoor and Justice Munib] at that time said were on summer vacations. Hamid Khan then contended that the review petition should have been heard after a decision on 26th Constitutional Amendment. Justice Mandokhel responded that review petition was filed prior to petitions against the 26th Amendment. An 11-member Constitutional Bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard the review petitions of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The proceeding was live-streamed on SC's YouTube channel. At the onset of the proceeding, Justice Mandokhail inquired from PTI lawyer; 'Don't you think 3-day, time-line given in Article 51 of the constitution, has been extended in 8-judge's verdict.' Salman Akram Raja, appearing on behalf of PTI, replied, 'no'. He submitted that the judgment actually allowed the independents to join a political party to that they belonged. He told that the judgment derived power from Section 66 of the Election Act, which states how a candidate becomes a member of a political party. Raja also contended that after 24th December 2023, the ECP refused to recognise PTI as a political party, and declined to issue list of PTI reserved seats for women. Justice Mandokhel reminded Raja that in the main case, he had accepted the status of PTI candidates as independents, and admitted that he would not have any objection if the reserved seats were given to the SIC. Raja recalled that during the proceeding of the main case, Justice Athar Minallah raised issue of complete justice and asked won't he has objection if reserved seats were given to the PTI. The counsel said that he had bowed to that offer, adding the 8-judge judgment declared that joining of SIC by independents is nonest. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar remarked that there is nothing on record that 41 candidates, out of 80, filed party affiliation certificate or mentioned PTI in their nomination papers. Justice Salahuddin Panhwar remarked that if 39 independents could mention in their nomination papers PTI, then why 41 candidates did not write PTI. He questioned whether they had the fear that if they would do that than their papers would be rejected. Justice Mandokhel observed had the 41 candidates also mentioned PTI in their nomination paper then maximum damage they could face was the rejection of the papers. Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar questioned whether Section 94 is still part of Elections Act? Raja replied that he went to the Lahore High Court (LHC) against this provision, but the High Court dismissed it without passing any order, and remanded the matter to the ECP. Raja informed that he had challenged that order before the apex court, but the registrar's office returned his petition on 2nd February 2024. He told that the majority judgment declared the Explanation in Section 94 ultra vires of the constitution. Justice Mazhar inquired whether Section 94 was declared ultra vires in the short order or the judgment. Raja responded that in paras 4 and 5 of the majority judgment it was clarified why Section 94 was declared ultra vires. However, Justice Mazhar noted that there is no such declaration in the short order. He said once a thing is not considered in the short order then how come finding on it could be given in the detailed reasoning, adding this is a legal question, as it will come before the Court in future. The case was adjourned until Friday (June 27). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
