From Elections Canada:
http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx...t=index&lang=e
Currently there are three ways you prove identity to vote:
Option 1: Show one original piece of identification with your photo, name and address. It must be issued by a government agency.
Examples:
Driver's Licence
Ontario Health Card
Note: Not all electors in Ontario will have cards with photo, name and address
Provincial/Territorial Identification Card for the provinces/territories of
Newfoundland and Labrador
Prince Edward Island
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Ontario
Manitoba
Alberta
British Columbia
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Option 2: Show two original pieces of authorized identification. Both pieces must have your name and one must also have your address.
Examples:
Identity Cards
Driver's Licence
Health Card
Canadian Passport
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (Citizenship Card)
Birth Certificate
Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card)
Social Insurance Number Card
Old Age Security Card
Student ID Card
Provincial/Territorial Identification Card
Liquor Identification Card
Hospital/Medical Clinic Card
Credit/Debit Card
Employee Card
Public Transportation Card
Library Card
Canadian Forces Identity Card
Veterans Affairs Canada Health Card
Canadian Blood Services/Héma-Québec Card
CNIB ID Card
Firearm Possession and Acquisition Licence or Possession Only Licence
Fishing, Trapping or Hunting Licence
Outdoors or Wildlife Card/Licence
Hospital bracelet worn by residents of long-term care facilities
Parolee Identification Card
Original documents
(with name and address)
Utility Bill (telephone, TV, public utilities commission, hydro, gas or water)
Bank/Credit Card Statement
Vehicle Ownership/Insurance
Correspondence issued by a school, college or university
Statement of Government Benefits (employment insurance, old age security, social assistance, disability support or child tax benefit)
Attestation of Residence issued by the responsible authority of a First Nations band or reserve
Government Cheque or Cheque Stub
Pension Plan Statement of Benefits, Contributions or Participation
Residential Lease/Mortgage Statement
Income/Property Tax Assessment Notice
Insurance Policy
Letter from a public curator, public guardian or public trustee
One of the following, issued by the responsible authority of a shelter, soup kitchen, student/senior residence, or long-term care facility: Attestation of Residence, Letter of Stay, Admission Form or Statement of Benefits
Option 3: Take an oath and have an elector who knows you vouch for you (both of you will be required to make a sworn statement). This person must have authorized identification and their name must appear on the list of electors in the same polling division as you. This person can only vouch for one person and the person who is vouched for cannot vouch for another elector.
Examples: a neighbour, your roommate.
The issue is people with low incomes are less likely to be able to fulfill option 1.
Option 2 is a huge hassle, what if they rent from a friend or relative (perhaps rent a room)? There's no formal lease, utilities are included, then the options shrink awfully fast.
Option 3 allows for an oath to be given and let's them exercise their right as a Canadian citizen to vote.
If the right is to be taken away the onus is on the government to prove you are not eligible to vote, not on you to prove you can.
If Option 2 remains unchanged it still doesn't solve the non-existent problem that the act is supposed to fix as I could fill out a lease and claim you rent from me. Voila.