The federal Liberal government is scheduled to introduce electoral reform legislation today, Wednesday, that could change the way voters cast their ballots.

The reform was placed on the notice paper by the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions, and International Government Dominic LeBlanc, and the new bill awaiting introduction aims to amend the Canadian Elections Act.

While the essence of the legislation will not be revealed until it is introduced in the House of Commons later today, this comes after CTV News reported that the Liberals and New Democrats were quietly planning to change the Elections Act accordingly, with a series of confidence and supply agreement pledges.

Although there is no comprehensive reform of the federal voting system as once promised by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the confidence and supply agreement between the two parties contains a series of electoral reform proposals aimed at expanding "people's ability to vote."

Specifically, the Liberals and New Democrats agreed to explore the following:

  Allowing an "extended" three-day voting period during general elections;

  Allowing voters to cast their ballots at any polling station within their district; and

  Improving the mail-in voting process with consideration for accessibility and maintaining integrity.

What remains to be revealed is how far the two parties agree to go, whether through directly enhancing access to voting reforms or initiating some kind of process to continue studying expanding voting accessibility.

LeBlanc took the lead in negotiations on behalf of the Liberals, while outgoing New Democratic Party MP and democratic reform critic Daniel Blaikie led his party. Blaikie announced last month that he will vacate his seat in Parliament effective March 31.

The New Democratic Party MP told CTV News in September that a "fair amount of work" had been done on the bill, and the expectation is that the three reforms will be included in a single bill that can be passed in time for the parliament's leadership, the upcoming election.

It has also not yet been indicated whether these measures will be in effect for the next federal election - which by law must be held no later than October 2025 - or whether the bill will set a timeline for enacting any reforms sometime in the future.

LeBlanc is scheduled to speak to the media in the House of Commons foyer at 4 p.m. ET. Government and ET officials will hold a technical briefing on the bill at 4:30 p.m. ET in Ottawa.

On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau participated in a session on technology, elections, misinformation, and disinformation as part of the Democracy Summit. He announced there a $30.4 million allocation for new projects aimed at "strengthening democracy in Canada and worldwide."

Trudeau said in a statement, "Our democracy did not arise by chance, nor will it endure without effort."