Long-awaited electoral reform bill to be introduced on Thursday: minister

OTTAWA – The Harper government says it will introduce electoral reform legislation on Thursday.

Tim Uppal, the minister of state for democratic reform, says the bill will address concerns raised before a Commons committee by Marc Mayrand, the chief electoral officer.

The long-awaited legislation is intended to address problems arising from the robocalls scandal.

Mayrand has warned there could be another wave of false or misleading telephone calls in the next election if tough new rules and punishments are not in place by the end of next year.

An Elections Canada report last month offered a number of ideas aimed at preventing another rash of so-called robocalls in future campaigns.

They include penalties for impersonating election officials, wider investigative powers for elections officials and increased voter privacy.