At the ballot box: Will COVID-19 impact how we choose our next leaders?
It seems like a millennia ago that Canadian citizens were asked to go to the ballot box. Since the pandemic, the majority of politicians have focused on dealing with various state of emergencies or implementing policies to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
Now, with a year before a provincial election and the possibility of the Prime Minister dropping the writ, the nature of politics is returning in full swing.
A few months ago, political strategists told CTV News Toronto the 2022 Ontario election will serve as a referendum of Premier Doug Ford’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, with voters focusing on how the Progressive Conservatives dealt with the lockdowns and reopenings.
Meanwhile, a July Nanos survey found that if a federal election were called, the economy would be the key issue for voters.
“It looks like Canadians are starting to pivot away from the pandemic,” said Nanos Research's Nik Nanos at the time. “And during the next election, they're going to want to hear about the economy and jobs. They're going to want to hear about the environment, about the deficit, about health care.”
In episode 5 of Life Unmasked, the team speaks with Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Colin D’Mello and CTV News Parliamentary Bureau Chief Annie Bergeron-Oliver about what comes next—how the pandemic will influence the upcoming elections and politics in the near future.
Life Unmasked airs first on the iHeart app every Thursday morning before becoming available on other streaming platforms. A bonus episode about how journalism has had to adapt throughout the pandemic will also be released over the weekend.
If you have questions for the podcast team, or an idea for an episode, please email lifeunmasked@bellmedia.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Biden OKs US$60M in aid after Baltimore bridge collapse as governor warns of 'very long road ahead'
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore warned Thursday of a 'very long road ahead' to recover from the loss of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved US$60 million in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse.