Monday's federal election is rapidly approaching, with the vote happening Monday.
In Prince George’s two ridings, there are a total of 12 candidates running for the chance to become a member of Parliament.
Advance voting was held over the Easter long weekend, with 12,380 people, or 13.37 per cent of eligible voters, voting early in Cariboo-Prince George.
Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies saw 15,341 people, or 17.33 per cent of eligible voters, cast their ballots in advance.
If you weren't among those early voters, here's a rundown of what you need to know for Monday.
Voters should have received an information card from Elections Canada telling them which riding they’re in and where they should vote.
On election day, voters must cast their ballot at their assigned polling place.
However, those who no longer have their card or who didn’t receive one can find that information by visiting elections.ca and entering their postal code to find their riding, a list of candidates and where their local Elections Canada office is.
Those who did not get a voter information card may not be registered to vote or their information may not be up to date. Those looking to register can either use the online registration service at ereg.elections.ca/en/ereg/index or call 1-800-463-6868.
People who need to update their voter information should reach out to their local Elections Canada office.
Voters who need an interpreter either for spoken or sign language, or some other form of assistance to vote can fill out an online request at csep-pesc.elections.ca/en-CA/intake/ or call their local returning officer.
The Elections Canada office and returning officer for Cariboo-Prince George can be reached toll-free by phone at 1-866-499-8023. The office itself is at 6500 Southridge Ave.
For Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies, the office in Prince George is located on the second floor of 1511 Third Ave. The phone number for the office and returning officer is 1-866-546-7619.
Rules for voting
There are three options for proving your identity to vote. A person must be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old on election day in order to cast a ballot.
The first option is to show your driver’s license or a piece of government-issued ID that includes your photo, name and current address.
The second option is to provide two pieces of ID, both of which must have your name and one of which must list your current address. This can include things like library card, utility bills, student ID cards, voter information cards from Elections Canada and more. A full list is available online at elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=id&document=index&lang=e.
If you don’t have ID, the final option is for a voter to declare their identity and address in writing and have someone come along to the polling station to vouch for them. The voucher must be able to prove their own identity and address and can only vouch for one person.
Under federal law, employers are legally required to give eligible voters time off to vote if they do not have three consecutive hours to do so outside of their hours of work. The employer can determine when this time is given.
It should be note that it is illegal to take a picture, film or copy a marked election ballot unless by a person with a visual impairment wanting to check the accuracy of their mark or someone participating in a legal proceeding.
People at polling stations are prohibited by law from trying to influence people to vote or to not vote. Visitors to polling stations also cannot influence election workers.
It’s also forbidden to “wear any emblem, flag, banner or other thing that indicates that the person supports or opposes any candidate or political party that is listed on the ballot under the name of a candidate, or the political or other opinions entertained, or supposed to be entertained, by the candidate or party.”
Basically, you can’t be overtly partisan at a polling station.
Riding boundaries
The boundaries of both Prince George ridings have changed since the last election. Within the city itself, the dividing line generally follows Highway 97.
If you live to the north of the Nechako River or west of Highway 97 south of the John Hart Bridge, you’ll likely be voting in Cariboo-Prince George.
If you live east of Highway 97 and south of the Nechako River, you’ll likely be voting in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies.
However, the highway stops being the dividing line once it hits the Simon Fraser Bridge. At that point, the Fraser River becomes the boundary, with parts to the west in Cariboo-Prince George and parts to the east in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies until the river bends just south of Stoner.
Cariboo-Prince George
This riding encompasses communities like 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Vanderhoof and part of Prince George.
Here’s who running in Cariboo-Prince George in alphabetical order by last name:
- Angie Bonazzo (New Democratic Party)
- Jodie Capling (Green Party of Canada)
- Todd Doherty (Conservative Party of Canada, incumbent)
- Clinton Emslie (Liberal Party of Canada)
- Rudy Sans (People's Party of Canada)
- Kenneth B. Thomson (Independent)
- Jake Wiens (Christian Heritage Party)
Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies
This riding encompasses the top northeastern corner of British Columbia, bordering both Yukon and Alberta.
Beyond Prince George, other communities in the riding include Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Fort Nelson, Valemount, McBride, Mackenzie and Chetwynd.
Here’s who’s running in Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies listed in alphabetical order by last name:
- Mary Forbes (Green Party of Canada)
- Cory “Grizz” Longley (New Democratic Party)
- Peter Njenga (Liberal Party of Canada)
- David Watson (People’s Party of Canada)
- Bob Zimmer (Conservative Party of Canada, incumbent)
Voting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for those in the Pacific time zone and 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Mountain time zone.
