News release

Eighty-one per cent of taxfilers give consent on tax returns to update the National Registry of Electors

Ottawa, June 16, 1998...The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of National Revenue and M.P. (Vancouver South - Burnaby), and Jean-Pierre Kingsley, the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, today announced the success of a joint initiative to update the National Register of Electors using the 1997 income tax return.

Beginning this filing season, taxfilers were asked to check a box on the first page of their return indicating whether or not they were willing to allow Revenue Canada to provide their name, address, and date of birth to Elections Canada to help keep the National Register of Electors up-to-date.

Approximately 81% (or 12.5 million) of the more than 15 million individuals whose returns Revenue Canada has assessed to date have checked the "Yes" box on their income tax return authorizing the Department to provide the information to Elections Canada.

"We are pleased that we were able to help make the process of updating the electoral list easier and more cost-effective for Canadians," said Minister Dhaliwal. "It is an example of the type of cooperation between organizations that can reduce duplication and save taxpayers money."

Elections Canada estimates that using the National Register of Electors will result in savings to Canadians of about $30 million for each federal election or referendum. Every year, essential elector information changes for more than four million Canadians, including name and address changes and new electors turning 18. A high rate of consent on each year's income tax returns will mean a more accurate and complete Register, contributing to a more modern, efficient, and less costly registration system.

"We are pleased with the outstanding results of the first year of this initiative," said Mr. Kingsley. "It is a tribute to Revenue Canada's support and assistance, and to the millions of taxfilers who participated. It is an excellent example of how to increase government efficiency while protecting personal privacy."

Mr. Kingsley explained that the protection of personal information is a priority of both Elections Canada and Revenue Canada. To assure taxfilers of this commitment, the initiative was designed with the advice and support of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. The Canada Elections Act allows for a transfer of basic information from Revenue Canada to Elections Canada solely for electoral purposes and only with the taxfiler's consent each year.

That means that electors who want to keep their information up-to-date will need to check the "yes" box on their tax return each year. Revenue Canada will provide information with next year's tax package reminding Canadians about the need to provide their consent annually.

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