Elections Ontario breach impacts voter confidence, Gélinas says

With voter turn out already low and falling election by election, the last thing democracy needs in Ontario is for confidence in the electoral system itself to be harmed, Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas said July 18.

Her riding is one of 20 to 25 ridings potentially affected by Election Ontario's loss of two thumb drives containing some personal information of voters, including full names, addresses and phone numbers. Although the data on the drives is encrypted, there is concern that the protection could be cracked by tech-savvy criminals.

The OPP is investigating and Elections Ontario is having its policies and procedures surrounding personal information and storage reviewed by a third party. In the meantime, residents in the affected ridings are being warned to watch for any unusual banking activity, and be cautious of phone calls or emails requesting personal information.

And while Gélinas said she is concerned about how the breach of personal information could impact her constituents, she is also concerned about how the breach will affect voter confidence.

“I'm very, very worried,” she said. “Anything that brings on a cloud over the electoral process is not good. People have to have confidence in the system” in order for the system to function well.

She acknowledged that Elections Ontario is “doing its best” with a bad situation, but said she fears the effect the ripples from the breach will have.

“Democracy only works when people (participate),” she said. “When something like this happens, it shakes the foundations.”

Although the legislative assembly has adjourned for the summer, she said it is a “guarantee” that politicians will be reviewing the breach and the circumstances that led up to it when they reconvene in the fall.

Posted by Arron Pickard