GUELPH/ERAMOSA – French-speaking township residents can now receive municipal election information in French.
At Monday’s council meeting, council passed the bylaw allowing the use of other languages other than English on information, notices, and forms, other than prescribed, provided to voters in municipal elections.
“Essentially, what it means is that the township will continue to produce all election-related documents in English,” explained Amanda Knight, township clerk and director of legislative services, in an email.
“For example, candidate forms produced by the township, communications, election notices and more, unless someone submits a request asking for these documents to be provided in another language and this request could be for French or any other language. The by-law passed today by council, authorizes staff to have these documents produced in the language requested.”
Initially, the intended other language for township voters was French, however, Knight explained that other languages will be provided as well should a request come through from a bilingual or non-English speaking township resident. Otherwise, information will be provided in English.
Discussions around the bylaw began at the Dec. 20 council meeting when Knight informed council that in 2018, the clerks department report 17/30 included a draft bylaw to allow for the use of other languages other than English on information provided to voters in municipal elections, however, it did not appear that the bylaw was ever passed.
Staff have not received a request for another language in previous elections but wanted to have a bylaw in place in the event that the need for another language for election information arises during the 2022 municipal election.
