P.E.I. election campaign enters its final weekend
After a short and relatively uneventful campaign it’s nearly time for islanders to go to the polls.
It’s the final weekend of the election on Prince Edward Island, and there hasn’t yet been much in the way of surprises.
“It was lacklustre, there was a lack of enthusiasm,” said Don Desserud, Political Expert. “I don’t think any political party seemed to be enjoying this.”
The last week of the campaign has seen the leaders of the big four parties go toe-to-toe in a number of debates and public forums.
Desserud said there was little in the way of platform surprises, but it gave the leaders the chance to show off their personalities. He is still expecting a strong showing from the Progressive Conservatives.
“It seems to be obvious to me that the Liberal Party and the Green Party have gone through this whole exercise with the expectation, not only that they were not going to win this election, but they were probably going to lose some seats, and they were trying to hold on to the seats that they get,” said Desserud.
Voter turnout is strong already, about 20 per cent of eligible voters already casted their ballot in the two advanced polls. The latest data on Friday shows that turnout at advanced polls is on track to reach around 30 to 35 per cent.
“Some other provinces get 36 per cent turnout just for the whole election,” said Tim Garrity, Chief Electoral Officer for Elections PEI. “We are definitely the envy of the country when it comes to voter turnout, and that’s for advanced, right through election day.”
In the 2019 general election, P.E.I.’s voter turnout was about 77 per cent and that’s a historic low.
So the candidates will be out in full force this last weekend of the campaign trying to drum up support among voters.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.