Mr. Chair, I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to speak about the French experience. I will be as brief as possible, and I will then answer your questions.

Since the Fifth Republic in France, in other words since 1958, the constitution has allowed all French citizens living abroad to participate, in appropriate forms, in all polls nation-wide at the local, regional and national level. This may be the election of the president of the Republic, or the election of parliamentarians, legislative elections, elections of regional councillors, elections of general councillors—now called departmental councillors—or municipal elections.

As a result of this constitutional provision, the act that allows French citizens abroad to vote is very favourable to the voter, as it is in France, as well. In other words, no distinction is made between a French citizen living abroad and a French citizen living on the national territory.

There are about 2 to 2.5 million French citizens living abroad, and they are eligible to vote in all national elections, including presidential elections, legislative elections, European elections and in referenda at polling stations at their embassy or consulate. They can also vote in elections for French citizens living abroad because we do have local representation for them in each country.

To be able to vote abroad, the French expat must be registered on a consular electoral list. These lists are open in diplomatic and consular posts. To be able to vote for one year starting on January 1, the citizen must have registered prior to December 31 of the previous year. This registration on the electoral list is facilitated by registration on the registry of French citizens resident outside France, a national registry open in all embassies. French citizens arriving in Canada, for example, need only register on the registry to be automatically added to the electoral list, unless they request otherwise. A French citizen may in fact decide to vote in France instead of at an embassy. Registering on the registry can be done by simply presenting proof of French citizenship, a piece of identification, proof of residence in the foreign territory and the residence permit issued by the country in question.

It should be noted that if for some reason the voter has not been registered on the electoral list and thinks there was an administrative error, the voter can seek recourse before an administrative tribunal in France up to the very day of the election. The tribunal must render a decision immediately on whether the claim is founded.

As I said, a French expat living abroad may ask to be registered on the electoral list of a commune in France, generally the last commune of residence. This is interpreted very broadly within French electoral law. In fact, a French citizen living abroad may ask to be registered in the commune of his or her parents, an ancestor or descendant, as long as there is a family link. If the individual is registered on the electoral list abroad and is on the list of these communes, the citizen may ask to vote in France at the local polls. In other words, the individual may be registered in two places.

If the person absolutely doesn't want to vote abroad, which is that person's right, including for local entities, the citizen can vote in France, either in person or by proxy.

Abroad, citizens can vote only at the ballot box or by proxy at the diplomatic post for presidential elections, European elections and the referendum.

For legislative elections, citizens can vote by Internet. This is an entirely new provision that was implemented for the first time for the 2012 elections, which elected the current Parliament and includes 11 French members living abroad.

That is what I wanted to say for my opening remarks.

Thank you.

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