'I’m actually going to be emotional': New Canadian casts ballot for first time in Saskatoon
For many Canadians, this 44th federal election is a first as those who are newly 18 years old as of Sept. 20 as well as new citizens, can cast a vote.
Peter Maduakor moved from Nigeria in 2013 and became a Canadian citizen last year. For him, this election holds a lot of significance and he’s both nervous and excited.
“I’m actually going to be emotional because for me, it’s historic because voting in an election where your vote is going to be counted is something I’ve not witnessed before,” Maduakor told CTV News.
Nigeria is a democratic country, but Maduakor doesn’t trust the system as much as Canada's
“Unfortunately that is not what is practiced because elections are decided before votes are cast in the backroom. People are not allowed to have freedom of speech even though they say you do.”
Maduakor was surprised to see how peaceful the Canadian election process is.
“I was surprised. I saw everything was done without violence and I said to myself 'Wow! An election can actually go this way.' When you talk about election in my country, election is actually synonymous with violence,” he said.
Marie France-Kenny is the regional Elections Canada representative for Saskatchewan.
She said the precise number of new voters in this election won’t be known until well after all ballots are counted.
All voters and especially those who are heading to the polls for the first time should be aware of the specific polling station etiquette.
“You’re not supposed to be sharing information from your ballot at the polling location and you’re not supposed to be taking pictures while in the polling station,” France-Kenny told CTV News.
If a new voter hasn’t received a voter card, they can still head to the polls today with a photo identification and they should be on the list based on their income tax return.
Those who turned 18 years today or earlier and have registered, can also mark their X for the candidate of their choice also which is what first time voter, 18 year old Riley Tooley is doing.
“Your vote matters and everyone’s opinion should be counted. It’s your choice on how you want everything to be running,” Tooley said.
The pandemic is also on his mind as he heads to the polls and he thinks it’s significant for many young voters like him.
“I believe that’s a huge factor. The candidates view on COVID is a giant factor,” he said.
For those who want to document the voting experience, France-Kenny tells us, some polling stations across the country have a selfie station set up outside to snap a photo.
She says with new COVID-19 screening measures including extra cleaning and fewer staff to ensure distancing, there might be a longer wait than other years, but says so far the agency is hearing that voters are waiting only about 15 minutes maximum to vote.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.