Few complaints about voting in first pandemic federal election
Despite some obvious challenges, Canada's first national pandemic election seems to have gone pretty well around Atlantic Canada.
Lines had already formed when the polls opened at 8:30 Monday morning -- a good indication of an engaged electorate anxious to have their say.
"Voting is important to me. I personally wasn't inspired by many of the choices of this election, or even why we're having an election, but I do think it's important we get out an exercise our voice when we have a chance," voter Bob Daigle told CTV News.
"We felt it was important to get out early, get in front of the crowds and looking forward to seeing the turnout," said Zach MacDonald outside a polling station.
Others, though, were less enthusiastic.
"My thoughts on this year's election is that it never should have happened," said Celeste Hamilton
"We didn’t need an election during a pandemic; we have enough problems as it is."
Still, problems seemed relatively few and far between for the agency responsible for running the election during a once-in-a-century pandemic, although there were some issues with voter information services on the Elections Canada website.
Overall, though, a pretty well-oiled machine, according-to officials, who acknowledge staffing had been a problem.
"I'm glad to say that, when the polls opened today, we had recruited 94 per cent of the people we needed, so we're all good," said Elections Canada Atlantic Regional Media Advisor Françoise Enguehard
There could be delays in determining winners in some close ridings: officials have said local mail-in ballots won't be counted until Tuesday, a longer process given that they all have to be verified.
The number of polling locations in Atlantic Canada is lower, although that varies by province.
New Brunswick is about the same as it's always been, but other places are seeing some changes.
That includes a Nova Scotia first -- a "super-poll" of 30 polling stations inside a former department store at the Mic Mac Mall.
Impressive, according to former Dartmouth Mayor Gloria McCluskey.
"I'm just so amazed at how well things are going here. So many people coming and going and nobody waiting."
The sentiment was echoed by voter Denzil David, who noted the process only took a few minutes.
"Under the circumstances, what they have achieved is wonderful," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.