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
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.