17.1 (1) The Chief Electoral Officer shall establish and maintain a permanent register of electors for Ontario, to include both, (a)  persons entitled under this Act to vote at an election to the Assembly; and (b)  persons entitled to be an elector at an election held in a local municipality under subsections 17 (2) and (3) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. 2020, c. 23, Sched. 3, s. 4 (1). Unique identifiers (1.1) The permanent register must contain, for each person identified in the register, a unique identifier that is assigned by the Chief Electoral Officer. 2020, c. 23, Sched. 3, s. 4 (1). Updating (2) The Chief Electoral Officer shall verify the accuracy of the permanent register and take any steps that he or she considers necessary to ensure that it is as accurate as reasonably possible.  1998, c. 9, s. 15; 2007, c. 15, s. 40 (1). Same (3) The following rules apply to updating under subsection (2): 1.  In respect of general elections, the permanent register shall be updated with respect to all of Ontario, i.  at least once in each calendar year, and ii.  as soon as possible after a writ is issued for a general election, unless the most recent previous updating was done within two months before the day the writ is issued. 2.  In respect of a by-election for the Assembly, the permanent register shall be updated with respect to an individual electoral district as soon as possible after a writ is issued for a by-election to be held there, unless the most recent previous updating was done within two months before the day the writ is issued. 3.  In respect of general elections, the permanent register shall be updated with respect to all of Ontario at a registered party’s request. However, in that case the costs of updating, as determined by the Chief Electoral Officer, shall be paid by the party. 4.  In respect of municipal elections, the permanent register shall be updated as often as the Chief Electoral Officer considers necessary or desirable in order to meet the requirements of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. 2020, c. 23, Sched. 3, s. 4 (2). Sources of information (4) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), the Chief Electoral Officer may obtain information in any combination of the following ways: 1.  In accordance with section 17.1.2. 2.  By obtaining it from any source that he or she considers reliable, including, without limiting the generality of “any source”, i.  the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, ii.  the Government of Canada and its agencies, iii.  the Government of Ontario and its agencies, iv.  any municipality in Ontario and its local boards. v.  the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. 3.  By having research carried out by registration agents appointed under subsection (4.1), including without limitation mailings, telephone calls, e-mails and personal visits to the homes of persons who may be electors who are not named, or not correctly named, in the permanent register. 4.  By having information packages distributed at locations where they are likely to come to the attention of electors who are not named, or not correctly named, in the permanent register. 5.  Repealed:  2010, c. 7, s. 12 (1). 6.  By using any other technique that the Chief Electoral Officer considers will assist in updating the permanent register.  1998, c. 9, s. 15; 2005, c. 23, s. 1; 2007, c. 15, ss. 7 (1, 2), 40 (1); 2010, c. 7, s. 12 (1); 2020, c. 23, Sched. 3, s. 4 (3). Registration agents (4.1) The Chief Electoral Officer may appoint persons as registration agents for the purpose of updating under this section.  2007, c. 15, s. 7 (3). Same (4.2) Every registration agent, on being appointed, shall take the prescribed oath or affirmation.  2007, c. 15, s. 7 (3). Access by registration agents (4.3) Registration agents who are carrying out research under paragraph 3 of subsection (4) by making personal visits to homes in a building with multiple dwelling units are entitled to free access to the entrance door of each dwelling unit, at all reasonable times and on producing proper identification.  2010, c. 7, s. 12 (2). Obstruction (4.4) No person shall obstruct or interfere with the registration agents or hinder the exercise of their rights or the performance of their duties under this Act.  2010, c. 7, s. 12 (2). Obligation to provide information (5) When the Chief Electoral Officer, for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), requests information from an entity mentioned in subparagraph iii, iv or v of paragraph 2 of subsection (4), the entity is required to provide the information.  1998, c. 9, s. 15; 2007, c. 15, s. 40 (1); 2020, c. 23, Sched. 3, s. 4 (4). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1998, c. 9, s. 15 - 01/01/1999 2005, c. 23, s. 1
- 13/06/2005 2007, c. 15, s. 7 (1-3), 40 (1) - 04/06/2007 2010, c. 7, s. 12 (1, 2)
- 18/05/2010 2016, c. 33, s. 11
- 01/07/2017 2020, c. 23, Sched. 3, s. 4 (1-4) - 01/01/2021