Here's what voters in Ottawa and eastern Ontario need to know to vote in Monday's federal election
Voters in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec head to the polls on Monday to cast a ballot in the federal election.
Elections Canada warns voting may take longer due to COVID-19 precautions and fewer employees at polling stations during the pandemic.
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you need to know to cast a ballot in the 44th general election.
CANDIDATES
Voters will cast a ballot for a Member of Parliament in their riding.
For information on the candidates in your riding, visit CTVNewsOttawa.ca.
POLLING HOURS/LOCATIONS
Polling stations will be open in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday.
To find your polling station, check your voter information card or visit the Elections Canada website. Elections Canada says you must vote at your assigned polling station.
If you are looking for a time to vote with shorter line-ups, Elections Canada says mid-day "tends to be" when things are quieter at polling stations.
WHO CAN VOTE
To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen and at least 18-years-old on Election Day.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO VOTE
Elections Canada says when you go to vote remember to:
- Bring your voter information card with you, along with accepted ID, to make the voting process easier when you go to vote.
There are three options to prove your identity and address when you cast your ballot:
- Option One: Show your driver's licence or any other card issued by a Canadian government with your photo, name and current address
- Option Two: Show two pieces of ID. Both must have your name and at least one must have your current address. Examples include voter information card and bank statement or utility bill and student ID card
- Option Three: You can still vote if you declare your identity and address in writing and have someone who knows you and who is assigned to your polling station vouch for you.
COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES
Voters must wear a mask inside the polling stations. All polling station workers will be wearing a mask.
"Electors must wear a mask as required by the province, territory or region, or landlord leasing the polling place to Elections Canada," says Elections Canada on its website. "If you forget to bring your own mask, we will provide you with one."
Elections Canada warns voters who refuse to wear a mask will be turned away from the polling station if they do not have a medical exemption.
Each polling station will have hand sanitizer, and the poll worker will be behind a plexiglass barrier.
Elections Canada says COVID-19 protocols could slow down the voting process on Monday.
"It really depends on what turnout numbers look like on Monday," said Elections Canada spokesperson Matthew McKenna in an interview on Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron.
"We have had to reduce the number of staff at Elections Canada polls, and that's really in order to facilitate physical distancing."
A single-use pencil will be provided to each elector to mark your ballot.
Elections Canada will not ask for proof of vaccination.
NO PHOTOS WITH YOUR BALLOT
Elections Canada says you cannot take a photo of or a selfie with your marked ballot.
"Taking a picture of a marked ballot—yours or anyone else's—is illegal because it violates the secrecy of the vote under the Canada Elections Act. It's also a violation of the Act to publish a photo of a marked ballot in any way, including on social media," said Elections Canada on its website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.