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Prosecutors probe allegations of fake voter rolls in Switzerland’s vaunted direct democracy

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GENEVA (AP) — Swiss federal prosecutors say they have ordered house searches and interrogations as part of an investigation into possible electoral fraud after an advocacy group unearthed thousands of fake signatures in voter rolls.

Newspapers in Swiss media group Tamedia first reported that the initiative “Service Citoyen” (Citizen Service) has filed a criminal complaint alleging malfeasance that could have skewed results in Swiss elections.

The revelation has jolted Switzerland’s vaunted system of direct democracy, where mail-in balloting is the main way that voters cast ballots and where referendums four times a year give citizens a direct say in policymaking. The next such referendum is scheduled for Sept. 22, where a biodiversity project is among issues on the ballot.

Advocacy group co-president Noemie Roten commissioned an outside firm last year to collect some 10,000 signatures on voter rolls, and she subsequently discovered that nearly a third appeared fake — involving bogus addresses, falsified birth dates and repeated signatures.

She issued a 236-page report to the Swiss attorney-general’s office, which said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Tuesday that it is investigating the matter.

In a phone interview, Roten said the findings “could indeed jeopardize the confidence that Swiss citizens have in direct democracy.”

The Swiss federal chancellery, which oversees national elections, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the AP about the possible impact of the suspected wrongdoing.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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End of Manitoba legislature session includes replacement-worker ban, machete rules

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WINNIPEG – Manitoba politicians are expected to pass several bills into law before the likely end of legislature session this evening.

The NDP government, with a solid majority of seats, is getting its omnibus budget bill through.

It enacts tax changes outlined in the spring budget, but also includes unrelated items, such as a ban on replacement workers during labour disputes.

The bill would also make it easier for workers to unionize, and would boost rebates for political campaign expenses.

Another bill expected to pass this evening would place new restrictions on the sale of machetes, in an attempt to crack down on crime.

Among the bills that are not expected to pass this session is one making it harder for landlords to raise rents above the inflation rate.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Father charged with second-degree murder in infant’s death: police

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A Richmond Hill, Ont., man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his seven-week-old infant earlier this year.

York Regional Police say they were contacted by the York Children’s Aid Society about a child who had been taken to a hospital in Toronto on Jan. 15.

They say the baby had “significant injuries” that could not be explained by the parents.

The infant died three days later.

Police say the baby’s father, 30, was charged with second-degree murder on Oct. 23.

Anyone with more information on the case is urged to contact investigators.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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Ontario fast-tracking several bills with little or no debate

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TORONTO – Ontario is pushing through several bills with little or no debate, which the government house leader says is due to a short legislative sitting.

The government has significantly reduced debate and committee time on the proposed law that would force municipalities to seek permission to install bike lanes when they would remove a car lane.

It also passed the fall economic statement that contains legislation to send out $200 cheques to taxpayers with reduced debating time.

The province tabled a bill Wednesday afternoon that would extend the per-vote subsidy program, which funnels money to political parties, until 2027.

That bill passed third reading Thursday morning with no debate and is awaiting royal assent.

Government House Leader Steve Clark did not answer a question about whether the province is speeding up passage of the bills in order to have an election in the spring, which Premier Doug Ford has not ruled out.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.



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