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
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it's too late
Christine Roess is a retired consultant. Ezra Bozeman has spent the last 49 years in prison, serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Against the odds, the two fell in love.