Election Day: Polls are open in Ottawa and eastern Ontario
After the 36-day federal election campaign, voters are now having their say in the 44th general election.
Long lines were reported at some polling stations in Ottawa this morning as voters cast their vote for a new member of Parliament in their riding.
Polling stations will remain open until 9:30 p.m. in Ottawa and eastern Ontario.
At the Canadian Museum of Nature, more than 100 people were in line when the polling station opened at 9:30 a.m. Some voters said it took 30 to 45 minutes to get through the line and cast their ballot at one of the 10 polls in the museum.
Voters line up to vote at a polling station at the Canadian Museum of Nature on Election Day, Sept. 20, 2021. (Josh Pringle / CTV News Ottawa)
At the Courtyard by Marriott Ottawa Downtown Hotel, a line stretched down Dalhousie Street to York Street as voters waited in line.
Polling stations are located across all eight ridings in Ottawa.
“We got to go. We vote, it’s a must,” said one voter at Ottawa City Hall.
Voters at Ottawa City Hall outlined their priorities in this election.
“Housing was the biggest one. I voted for the party that has the most aggressive housing policy,” said one voter.
“Child care, I would say so,” said another voter.
“Child care and climate change,” said a woman at the polling station.
To find your polling station, check your voter information card or visit the Elections Canada website, but Elections Canada notes that it has been experiencing some intermittent issues on Monday.
Elections Canada says you must vote at your assigned polling station.
Voters will elect a new MP in the following ridings in Ottawa and eastern Ontario:
- Carleton
- Kanata Carleton
- Nepean
- Orleans
- Ottawa Centre
- Ottawa South
- Ottawa Vanier
- Ottawa West-Nepean
- Glengarry-Prescott-Russell
- Hastings-Lennox and Addington
- Kingston and the Islands
- Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston
- Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes
- Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke
- Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry
Elections Canada says when you go to the polling station today, things will be different than past elections.
"What's going to be different this time because of COVID-19 precautions, you may find that the wait is going to be longer," said Diane Benson, Elections Canada spokesperson.
"Everyone inside will be masked, all the workers, and there will be plexiglass screen in front of them."
Masks will be mandatory inside the polling stations.
All polling stations will have single-use pencils, hand sanitizing stations and physical distancing measures in place.
Elections Canada staff are conducting contract tracing, taking names and phone numbers of everyone entering the polling station.
For information on the candidates in your riding, visit CTVNewsOttawa.ca.
Election Day weather
Environment Canada's weather forecast for Ottawa includes a high of 24 C in the afternoon with a humidex of 27.
Polls open at 9:30 a.m., by which point it's expected to be around 12 C. The hottest point of the day is forecast to be around 5 p.m. but warm temperatures in the low 20s could last up until polls close at 9:30 p.m.
Click here for the current conditions and forecast.
Watch election night coverage on CTV
CTV’s Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme will lead the network’s live election special CTV NEWS: ELECTION 2021 beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT.
The special will air on CTVNews.ca and the CTV and CTV News apps, CTV, CTV News Channel, BNN Bloomberg, and CTV.ca.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca will have regular updates on local races as winners are declared.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.