Ottawa, ON, July 31, 2025 — The leader of the People’s Party of Canada, Maxime Bernier, wrote to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Steven MacKinnon to express his concerns regarding proposals recently made by Pierre Poilievre to amend the nomination and registration process for federal election candidates in response to the so-called “Longest Ballot Committee.”
Mr. Bernier believes only one of this three proposals, limiting voters to signing one nomination paper, would be enough to prevent abuse of the process, while the two others risk silencing legitimate smaller voices and unduly limit political competition.
Mr. Bernier’s letter can be found below.
Contact
For more information or to arrange an interview with Mr. Bernier, please write to: media@peoplespartyofcanada.ca.
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Hon. Steven MacKinnon
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
Privy Council Office
85 Sparks Street, Room 1000
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A3
July 31, 2025
Dear Minister MacKinnon,
I am writing to provide feedback and express concerns regarding recent proposals from Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party and candidate in the Battle River–Crowfoot by-election, to amend the nomination and registration process for federal election candidates in response to the so-called “Longest Ballot Committee.”
While we understand that these proposals aim to address the challenges posed by unusually large candidate lists in certain ridings, we are deeply concerned that some of the measures being considered would disproportionately affect smaller parties, independent candidates, and Canadians without access to large campaign infrastructures.
1. Raising the Nomination Signature Threshold
The proposal to increase the number of required nomination signatures to 0.5% of a riding’s population—potentially as high as 750 signatures—would pose an unreasonable barrier to participation for many legitimate candidates. This change would:
•Disqualify grassroots candidates who lack the organizational reach of larger parties;
•Exacerbate inequities between urban and rural ridings;
•Introduce logistical and financial burdens that stifle democratic competition.
Such a measure would risk silencing dissenting voices and reducing public trust in the fairness of our electoral system.
2. Limiting Voters to Signing One Nomination Paper
We support this proposal as a proportionate and reasonable way to prevent abuse of the nomination process. Limiting each elector to signing only one candidate’s nomination paper maintains fair access to the ballot while discouraging manipulation.
This single reform—if implemented—may be sufficient to address recent concerns without the need for more restrictive measures.
3. Restricting Official Agents to Representing Only One Candidate
We strongly recommend against this proposal. In many regions, especially rural and low-resource areas, experienced volunteers serve as official agents for multiple candidates. Prohibiting this practice would:
•Unduly limit candidate autonomy in selecting trusted financial officers;
•Strain the already limited pool of qualified volunteers;
•Create unnecessary compliance risks and administrative complications.
To date, there has been no indication of ethical or legal concerns stemming from multi-candidate agents that would justify such a restrictive change.
Final Observations
Electoral reform must strike a careful balance between preventing abuse and preserving access. Any new rules must be rooted in evidence, proportionate to the problem, and designed to uphold—not erode—the democratic participation of all Canadians.
We urge your office to carefully assess the real-world impact of these proposals and to consider alternative measures that improve administrative procedures without limiting political competition.
Sincerely,
Maxime Bernier,
Leader, People’s Party of Canada
