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Federal Election

Debate format, moderators need fixing: commission

Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Tuesday, May. 10, 2022

OTTAWA - The next federal election debates should have a simpler format and better moderation to focus more on what leaders say than what they are asked, says the commission that oversees the events.

"There is widespread agreement that the 2021 debates did not deliver as well as they should have on informing voters about parties' policies," said the final report of the Leaders' Debates Commission on the 2021 nationally televised events.

Many people look to leaders' debates during an election for the elusive "knockout punch" moment, in which a politician gets such a good hit on an opponent that their campaign efforts nosedive.

But in 2021 it was a throw from a moderator that left the biggest impression. Shachi Kurl, the president of the Angus Reid Institute, asked Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet why he defended "discriminatory" provincial laws about religious symbols and the French language, which she said marginalized minorities and anglophones.

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In Ontario’s upcoming election, the Star has you covered

Anne Marie Owens - Editor, Toronto Star 3 minute read Preview

In Ontario’s upcoming election, the Star has you covered

Anne Marie Owens - Editor, Toronto Star 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 4, 2022

Reporters from every corner of the Star newsroom and from Torstar outlets across the province will bring their expertise to bear on our election coverage, with new digital tools to help you navigate the latest news.

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Wednesday, May. 4, 2022

- Tostar File photos
Clockwise from left: Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca and Green Leader Mike Schreiner are all running in the upcoming Ontario election.

- Tostar File photos
Clockwise from left: Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca and Green Leader Mike Schreiner are all running in the upcoming Ontario election.

Métis federation cleared in election raffle

Dylan Robertson 3 minute read Preview

Métis federation cleared in election raffle

Dylan Robertson 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 15, 2021

OTTAWA — The elections commissioner has cleared the Manitoba Metis Federation after it held a raffle for voters in the Sept. 20 federal election.

“The MMF did not act with a corrupt intention by creating and publicizing its draw for prizes," reads a letter from Mylène Gigou, a senior enforcement officer for the Commissioner of Canada Elections.

On Sept. 8, the federation announced it would offer a new car and PlayStation gaming consoles in a raffle for Métis citizens who post a photo of themselves at a polling station on social media.

Observers questioned whether the contest violated the part of the Canada Elections Act that forbids bribes.

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Friday, Oct. 15, 2021

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
"There's not a doubt, based on the evidence, that the Liberal government has the most I've-got-your-back style for the Métis,” said Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES

Human errors led to Manitoba riding vote miscount

Dylan Robertson 5 minute read Preview

Human errors led to Manitoba riding vote miscount

Dylan Robertson 5 minute read Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021

OTTAWA — The decision by an Elections Canada staffer not to put candidates’ names in alphabetical order caused a week-long delay in determining the winner of a west Winnipeg riding, and almost sparked an expensive recount.

“It was torture; I wouldn't wish that on anyone,” said Conservative MP Marty Morantz, who was re-elected last month in the riding of Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley.

Morantz won by 460 votes, though the original tally had him placed ahead of Liberal candidate Doug Eyolfson by just 24 — a margin so tight it would have required a judge to review all 45,573 ballots.

Elections Canada confirmed the issue flagged by the Conservative and Liberal campaigns, both of whom stressed they are not contesting the final result or trying to disparage poll workers.

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Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021

JOHN WOODS/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

At one point, when adjusting for errors, it appeared Liberal Doug Eyolfson had won the federal seat.

JOHN WOODS/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES 
 
At one point, when adjusting for errors, it appeared Liberal Doug Eyolfson had won the federal seat.

People’s Party strides linked to Manitoba communities with low vaccine uptake

Dylan Robertson 6 minute read Preview

People’s Party strides linked to Manitoba communities with low vaccine uptake

Dylan Robertson 6 minute read Friday, Oct. 8, 2021

OTTAWA — The People’s Party of Canada gained some of its highest nationwide support in the pockets of southern Manitoba struggling with COVID-19 vaccine uptake, according to a Free Press analysis.

Preliminary data from the 364 regular polling stations in Portage—Lisgar and Provencher show the right-wing party swept small communities in those ridings, but was rejected in most cities, as well as Winnipeg bedroom communities.

“This might be a flash in the pan, but none the less, it does show there are significant pockets within the population that still are anti-vax or have concerns or fears,” said Brandon University political scientist Kelly Saunders.

The two Manitoba ridings were the only ones in Canada where the People’s Party gained more than 15 per cent of votes in last month’s election.

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Friday, Oct. 8, 2021

The Canadian Press
People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier and wife Catherine Letarte speaks from a podium to supporters during the PPC headquarters election night event in Saskatoon, Sask., Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

The Canadian Press
People's Party of Canada Leader Maxime Bernier and wife Catherine Letarte speaks from a podium to supporters during the PPC headquarters election night event in Saskatoon, Sask., Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards

Bloc wins Trois-Rivières after recount

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Bloc wins Trois-Rivières after recount

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Friday, Oct. 8, 2021

Sandin and Timothy Liljegren can both be sent to the minors without waivers, Travis Dermott and Alex Biega cannot.

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Friday, Oct. 8, 2021

A man casts his ballot at a polling station on federal election day in Shawinigan, Que., Monday, Oct. 21, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

A man casts his ballot at a polling station on federal election day in Shawinigan, Que., Monday, Oct. 21, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Liberals pick up one more Quebec seat

Joan Bryden, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Liberals pick up one more Quebec seat

Joan Bryden, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021

Meet the new champion, same as the old champion.

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Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021

A Liberal Party of Canada logo is shown on a giant screen as a technician looks on during day one of the party's biennial convention in Montreal, Thusday, Feb. 20, 2014. Federal Liberals say they've picked up another seat in Quebec after a judicial recount.They say incumbent Brenda Shanahan will be returning to Parliament after the recount declared her the winner in Chateauguay-Lacolle over her Bloc Quebecois rival by just 12 votes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

A Liberal Party of Canada logo is shown on a giant screen as a technician looks on during day one of the party's biennial convention in Montreal, Thusday, Feb. 20, 2014. Federal Liberals say they've picked up another seat in Quebec after a judicial recount.They say incumbent Brenda Shanahan will be returning to Parliament after the recount declared her the winner in Chateauguay-Lacolle over her Bloc Quebecois rival by just 12 votes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

NDP demands inquiry into election 'failures'

Marie Woolf, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

NDP demands inquiry into election 'failures'

Marie Woolf, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021

OTTAWA - The NDP has requested an official inquiry into what it calls “numerous and systemic failures of election officials” in last month's federal election.

NDP national director Anne McGrath has written to Canada's elections commissioner, Yves Côté, calling for an investigation into whether election officials in a number of ridings failed to follow correct procedures, denying citizens the right to cast their vote on Sept. 20.

The letter of complaint, seen by The Canadian Press, alleges that some polling stations opened late “or not at all,” disenfranchising voters, many of whom were in Indigenous communities.

It says that in Kenora, Ont., Indigenous voters were “significantly disenfranchised” because places where people expected to vote did not open at all, or not until mid-afternoon.

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Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021

People start to line up early for the Canadian general election before polls open in west-end Toronto for the Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 election. The NDP has requested an official inquiry into what it calls “numerous and systemic failures of election officials” on election day. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

People start to line up early for the Canadian general election before polls open in west-end Toronto for the Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 election. The NDP has requested an official inquiry into what it calls “numerous and systemic failures of election officials” on election day. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

Candidates demand four recounts, as voters wait

Marie Woolf, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Candidates demand four recounts, as voters wait

Marie Woolf, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021

A collection of breaking news briefs filed on October 10, 2021

• Jets makes personnel moves

• Steinbach RCMP seek armed and dangerous suspect

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Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021

A sample ballot box is seen ahead of the 2019 federal election at Elections Canada's offices in Gatineau, Que., Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

A sample ballot box is seen ahead of the 2019 federal election at Elections Canada's offices in Gatineau, Que., Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

NDP asks for recount in Toronto's Davenport riding

Marie Woolf, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

NDP asks for recount in Toronto's Davenport riding

Marie Woolf, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Oct. 4, 2021

OTTAWA - The NDP is to ask a judge for a recount in a Toronto seat where it lost to the Liberals by 76 votes.

The New Democrats say they will go before a judge on Tuesday to ask for a recount in Davenport, a Toronto riding where the NDP narrowly lost to the Liberals.

The result was one of the closest in the federal election. Liberal Julie Dzerowicz defeated NDP candidate Alejandra Bravo with 42.1 per cent of votes cast, compared to Bravo's 42 per cent.

Dzerowicz has represented Davenport for the Liberals since 2015.

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Monday, Oct. 4, 2021

A worker uses a envelope cutting machine as they open special ballots from national, international, Canadian Forces and incarcerated electors at Elections Canada's distribution centre in Ottawa on election night of the 44th Canadian general election, on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

A worker uses a envelope cutting machine as they open special ballots from national, international, Canadian Forces and incarcerated electors at Elections Canada's distribution centre in Ottawa on election night of the 44th Canadian general election, on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Elections Canada confirms Quebec riding recount

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Elections Canada confirms Quebec riding recount

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Friday, Oct. 1, 2021

OTTAWA - Elections Canada is confirming that a recount will take place in a Quebec riding with a close result after a "potential anomaly" was discovered with a ballot box after the votes were validated.

Stéphane Perrault, Canada's chief electoral officer, says there will be a judicial recount of votes in the Châteauguay–Lacolle riding, after a request from the Liberal candidate.

The initial results had Bloc Québécois candidate Patrick O'Hara defeating Liberal incumbent Brenda Shanahan, first elected in 2015, by 286 votes.

The Liberals requested that votes be counted again after a "potential anomaly" with a ballot box was spotted.

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Friday, Oct. 1, 2021

Chief Electoral Officer Stephane Perrault signs the writs of the 43rd general election during a photo opportunity in Gatineau, Que., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. Elections Canada is confirming that a recount will take place in Quebec riding with a close result after a "potential anomaly" was discovered with a ballot box after the votes were validated. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Chief Electoral Officer Stephane Perrault signs the writs of the 43rd general election during a photo opportunity in Gatineau, Que., on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. Elections Canada is confirming that a recount will take place in Quebec riding with a close result after a

Minority win hides Liberal weakness

Royce Koop 5 minute read Preview

Minority win hides Liberal weakness

Royce Koop 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 1, 2021

Much of the discussion of the results of the 2021 federal election has centred on the somewhat-annoying fact that the parties’ standings were pretty much the same after as they were before the writ was dropped, with Justin Trudeau leading a minority government, the Conservatives as the official Opposition, et cetera.

The question buzzing around the nation’s Tim Hortons — what was the point of that!? — is an entirely fair one.

But that discussion obscures something that was particularly notable about this election: the Liberal party’s vote share dropped yet again, this time to 32.63 per cent of the vote. Justin Trudeau will now form a government with the support of less than one-third of Canadians who voted last week. Never in Canadian history has a government been formed with so little support from the people.

Further, the Liberals received fewer votes than the Conservatives, but won anyway because they secured more seats in the House of Commons.

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Friday, Oct. 1, 2021

Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press FILES
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was all smiles on Sept. 20 after his government was re-elected, but the Liberal party is in a very precarious position.

Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press FILES
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was all smiles on Sept. 20 after his government was re-elected, but the Liberal party is in a very precarious position.

Plenty of losers in election’s final result

Paul Moist 5 minute read Preview

Plenty of losers in election’s final result

Paul Moist 5 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 29, 2021

AFTER 36 days of campaigning, we are left with basically the same minority government that existed prior to the federal election. While it is tempting to say that everyone lost, that would not be true. There were indeed many losers, but I believe that there also are upsides to the result, which was largely predictable.

First, however, let’s discuss who lost:

Justin Trudeau lost. His decision to plunge the country into a summer election during a pandemic was about his belief he could attain a majority mandate. This did not occur, but he remains prime minister, with far less authority both within his own party and Parliament as a whole.

Conservative Party of Canada Leader Erin O’Toole could not move the yardsticks beyond the level attained by his predecessor in 2019, and he has angered his Conservative base. He, too, is in a weaker position than he was prior to the election, and likely has less job security than the prime minister.

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Wednesday, Sep. 29, 2021

Tijana Martin / The Canadian Press FILES
After announcing her resignation as Green Party leader on Monday, Annamie Paul’s brief time in the national political spotlight has come to an end.

Tijana Martin / The Canadian Press FILES
After announcing her resignation as Green Party leader on Monday, Annamie Paul’s brief time in the national political spotlight has come to an end.

‘Very grateful’ MP Morantz keeps seat after votes verified

2 minute read Preview

‘Very grateful’ MP Morantz keeps seat after votes verified

2 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 28, 2021

IT’S official: Tory Marty Morantz will remain the MP for west Winnipeg.

The nail-biter race is over between the incumbent and Liberal Doug Eyolfson, who was beaten by Morantz in 2019. It means all of Manitoba’s 14 incumbent MPs won their seats on Sept. 20.

After the votes were counted, Morantz had a 24-vote lead over Eyolfson in Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley.

Though both candidates expected the tight margin to trigger a recount, Eyolfson conceded Tuesday after a validated vote count found Morantz had secured the seat by 460 votes.

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Tuesday, Sep. 28, 2021

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Tory Marty Morantz will remain the MP for west Winnipeg.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Tory Marty Morantz will remain the MP for west Winnipeg.

Liberals request recount in Quebec riding

Marie Woolf, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Liberals request recount in Quebec riding

Marie Woolf, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 28, 2021

Tim’s Double Double Collection launches Wednesday. Maybe I do not grasp the pent-up demand for branded Timmie hoodies in the beige shade of the company’s popular joe, a middling beverage that in my opinion tastes like warm pond sludge and human suffering, writes Vinay Menon.

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Tuesday, Sep. 28, 2021

A sample ballot box is seen at Elections Canada's offices in Gatineau, Que., Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

A sample ballot box is seen at Elections Canada's offices in Gatineau, Que., Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Liberals concede election race in west Winnipeg

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Liberals concede election race in west Winnipeg

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 28, 2021

WINNIPEG - The federal Liberal candidate in a tight election race in west Winnipeg has conceded defeat.

Unofficial election results from Sept. 20 were very close in Charleswood-St. James-Headingley-Assiniboia, with just 24 votes between Conservative Marty Morantz and Liberal Doug Eyolfson.

That would be close enough to prompt an automatic recount under federal law.

But a recently completed validated vote count, which involves a returning officer reviewing the addition of votes at each poll, has given Morantz the win by a wider margin of 460 votes.

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Tuesday, Sep. 28, 2021

A man arrives to cast his ballot on federal election day in Montreal, Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

A man arrives to cast his ballot on federal election day in Montreal, Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

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