GTA school boards express concern about on-site voting for federal election
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing where and how people across the Greater Toronto Area will vote for a new federal government on Sept. 20.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB), where around 100 locations were being considered, made the decision not to allow polling stations at its schools.
“When we have thousand of people coming in and out of the building. Some are vaccinated. Some are not. Who knows,” said TCDSB Chair Joseph Martino, who voted not to host polling stations.
Martino added that he could support some voting at some schools, however most of the locations on the list were elementary schools.
“Can we clean the space in time, do we have kids coming through some of those areas? I worry about that. My biggest thing is to make sure they are safe, staff are safe and I do not think that is possible.”
Ward 2 Trustee Markus de Demenico told CTV News Toronto he supported allowing voters after it was vetted through Toronto Public Health.
“That under very stringent guidelines we would allow certain schools to be polling stations. In other words, schools that had a completely separate entrance. No access from the public to the student body or employees and have thorough sanitation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Toronto District School Board said it’s working with Elections Canada to use some schools, and expects to know more in the coming days.
The Durham District School Board said Elections Canada is moving forward with alternate locations, while the Durham Catholic District School Board said Elections Canada advised it doesn’t plan to use their schools this time around.
At Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, a PA day was moved at almost all of its elementary schools to accommodate polling stations.
A decision at Peel District School Board whether to allow voting is pending.
Elections Canada said while school polling station locations may be influx it says polling locations have been secured.
VOTING BY MAIL
More people are voting by mail in this election.
Elections Canada said that about 50,000 people cast a ballot through the post in 2019. This time around 345,000 kits have been issued so far — up by almost 50,000 since Monday.
To vote by mail, people need to apply online by Sept. 14 at 6 P.M., write the name of the candidate on a ballot and send it so it’s received by Sept. 20.
Elections Canada is asking people to check the Elections Canada website and their voter information card to see where they should vote.
Anyone who requests a mail in ballot can also bring the ballot to their own local polling station and drop it off if they are concerned it won’t make it in time through the mail.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
BUDGET 2024 Feds cutting 5,000 public service jobs, looking to turn underused buildings into housing
Five thousand public service jobs will be cut over the next four years, while underused federal office buildings, Canada Post properties and the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa could be turned into new housing units, as the federal government looks to find billions of dollars in savings and boost the country's housing portfolio.
Some of the winners and losers in the 2024 federal budget
With a variety of fiscal and policy measures announced in the federal budget, winners include small businesses and fintech companies while losers include the tobacco industry and Canadian pension funds.
From housing initiatives to a disability benefit, how the federal budget impacts you
From plans to boost new housing stock, encourage small businesses, and increase taxes on Canada’s top-earners, CTVNews.ca has sifted through the 416-page budget to find out what will make the biggest difference to your pocketbook.
Toronto police arrest several people at rail line protest
Several people have been arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in the city’s west end that blocked rail lines for hours Tuesday.
500 Newfoundlanders wound up on the same cruise and it turned into a rocking kitchen party
A Celebrity Apex cruise to the Caribbean this month turned into a rocking Newfoundland kitchen party when hundreds of people from Canada's easternmost province happened to be booked on the same ship.
Teen hockey players arrested for sexual assault following hazing incident: Manitoba RCMP
Three teenagers were arrested in connection with a pair of alleged hazing incidents on a Manitoba hockey team, police say.
B.C. killer seeks to attend sentencing by video as lawyer cites safety concerns
A defence lawyer for Ibrahim Ali, who was convicted of first-degree murder of a 13-year-old girl in Burnaby, B.C., says the man wants to appear at his sentencing hearing by video over fear for his safety.
Lululemon unveils first summer kit for Canada's Olympic and Paralympic teams
Lululemon showed off its collection for the Summer Olympics and Paralympics on Tuesday at the Liberty Grand entertainment complex. Athletes sported a variety of selections during a fashion show that featured garments to be worn on the podium, during opening and closing ceremonies, media interviews and daily life on the ground in France.