'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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
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.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
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.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'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.