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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.