A non-citizen has been fined for attempting to vote in Canada’s 2021 federal election, after an investigation determined he had made false claims about applying for a special ballot by mail.
An investigation was launched after Feng contacted Elections Canada on Sept. 3, 2021, claiming he had received a special ballot in the mail that he hadn’t requested, the notice says. He also reported it to the RCMP, alleging that someone had stolen his personal information to make the request and that this person had tried to steal the ballot from his mailbox.
Investigators found that on Aug. 18, 2021, an online application for a special ballot was submitted in Feng’s name through the Elections Canada portal. The application included proof of identification, leading the returning officer in Feng’s district to mail the ballot kit to his home. Investigators traced the IP address used for the application back to Feng’s residence, linking him to the request.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that Feng is not a Canadian citizen, meaning he was ineligible to vote.
“Therefore, there are reasonable grounds to believe that Qinan Feng attempted to vote during the 44th federal general election knowing that he was not a Canadian citizen,” said the commissioner’s notice of violation. It adds that Feng’s behaviours after committing the violation, citing the “attempt to cover up his involvement” constitutes an “aggravating factor.”
The Epoch Times contacted the RCMP and IRCC for comment but did not immediately hear back.
The commissioner said Gilchrist later admitted to Elections Canada officials he had voted twice, “with the intention to test the electoral system.”
The Epoch Times was unable to reach Gilchrist and Feng for comment.
