Bill C-297: An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (Indigenous languages)

2000, c. 9 Canada Elections Act 1 The Canada Elections Act is amended by adding the following after section 116: Obligation re Indigenous languages 116.1 (1) In an electoral district that is on Indigenous land, the Chief Electoral Officer may require that all the ballots for that electoral district be prepared and printed in both official languages as well as in the Indigenous language or languages of the electors, using the appropriate writing systems for each language, including syllabics if applicable. Definition of Indigenous land (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), Indigenous land means (a) a reserve and any other land that is set apart for the use and benefit of a band under the Indian Act ; and (b) land that is subject to a comprehensive or specific claim agreement, or a self-government agreement, between the Government of Canada and an Indigenous people of Canada. 2 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 186: Special ballots — Indigenous languages 186.01 On request by an elector who makes an application for registration and special ballot that the special ballot be printed in an Indigenous language, the Chief Electoral Officer shall instruct that the special ballot that is supplied to them be printed in that Indigenous language, using the appropriate writing systems for that language, including syllabics if applicable.