Author: Laurel L. Russwurm

Jean-Pierre Kingsley on Electoral Reform at the KPL

September 28th, 2016
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Kitchener Public Library Main Branch ~ Auditorium
85 Queen Street North Kitchener

Jean-Pierre Kingsley served as Canada’s chief electoral officer from 1990 to 2007. During his term, he ushered in reforms needed to comply with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and let Elections Canada in the age of computerized election administration. His many achievements include the introduction of the 36-day election calendar and digitized electoral geography systems and products. 

Mr. Kingsley also established the National Register of Electors and helped expand the election financing regime to regulate third-party advertising and election financing of all political entities, making the electoral process fairer and more transparent. On his watch, Elections Canada developed a new website that serves as a comprehensive tool for public information. In addition, following Mr. Kingsley’s recommendations to Parliament, the Canada Elections Act was amended in 2006 to authorize the chief electoral officer to appoint returning officers. During his tenure, Elections Canada assumed a frontline position in the international arena, particularly in Mexico and South Africa, leading the observation missions in 2006 in Haiti and Irak.

After Mr. Kingsley left Elections Canada, he served as president and CEO of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems in Washington, DC. Previously, Mr. Kingsley had been the CEO of the Ottawa General Hospital, where under his management, construction concluded within budget and three months before schedule. Mr. Kingsley has held posts at IBM, Travellers Assurance, Veteran Affairs Canada, Health and Welfare Canada, Canada’s Public Service Commission, and the Secretariat of the Treasury Board of Canada. He was responsible for the code on conflicts of interest at the Cabinet of Prime Minister Mulroney.