Elections Canada has pledged a significant overhaul of its procedures for handling mail-in ballots after a series of embarrassing mistakes during the last federal election. The agency plans to implement 13 specific recommendations in a phased approach, aiming to restore public confidence in the voting system.
What Went Wrong in the 2025 Election?
In the weeks following the spring 2025 federal election, problems with special ballots—which include mail-in votes—surfaced in two ridings on opposite sides of the country. These were not minor clerical issues but significant errors that threatened the integrity of the results.
The first incident occurred in the Quebec riding of Terrebonne, where the Liberal candidate won by a single vote. Shortly after, a Bloc Québécois supporter came forward to report that her mail-in ballot had been returned to her. The reason? Elections Canada had printed an incorrect return address on the envelope. The agency later confirmed that roughly 100 special ballots in that riding were sent out with the same mistake.
Then, in May, an even more startling discovery was made in British Columbia. A box containing 822 uncounted special ballots was found at the office of a returning officer in the riding of Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam. These ballots came from voters in 74 different ridings across Canada. Elections Canada attributed the blunder to "human error" and a failure to follow written procedures, noting the box should have been sent to headquarters by April 28. The agency stated the missed ballots did not change any riding outcomes.
The Planned Reforms
In response to these failures, Elections Canada tabled an internal review and a concrete action plan. Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault emphasized the urgency of the changes, stating, "It is critical to assess and address issues that emerged in special ballots given the increased use by Canadians." He added that the agency witnessed unprecedented errors.
The 13 recommendations will be rolled out in three phases from fall 2025 to fall 2026. This timeline is designed to ensure readiness for a potential snap election before the end of 2026, given the current minority government context. Key planned improvements include:
- Better monitoring of mail-in ballots sent to electors.
- Streamlining the counting and reporting process for both national and international special ballots.
- Automating the printing of return labels to eliminate manual address errors.
Looking Ahead to the Next Election
The push for reform is driven not only by the recent errors but also by the sustained growth in mail-in voting over the past decade. As more Canadians opt for the convenience of special ballots, the administrative system must be flawless to maintain trust.
Elections Canada's commitment to change is a direct acknowledgment that its processes failed some voters in 2025. The coming months will be a test of its ability to translate these recommendations into a robust and reliable system, ensuring every valid vote is counted accurately in the next federal contest.
