By Canadian Press

Rethink choice to avoid on-campus voting, NDP’s Singh urges Elections Canada

Aug 26, 2021 | 10:00 AM

OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says Elections Canada should reconsider its decision to not have on-campus voting stations because they make voting more accessible for young people.

On the campaign trail in Winnipeg, Singh says on-campus voting is “an effective tool” to encourage young voters to engage in the Sept. 20 federal election and cast their ballots.

Elections Canada says it made the “the difficult decision” to not provide polling stations on campus last year.

Spokesman Matthew McKenna says setting them up involves lengthy planning was not possible during the COVID-19 pandemic and in a minority Parliament situation.

He says Elections Canada has been working with student organizations to inform students of their other voting options including advance voting and voting by mail.

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Liberal candidate Bardish Chagger, federal youth minister, says she is boosting her efforts to encourage students to participate in the election by voting due to the lack of on-campus voting.

She says her work includes helping young people find local polling locations, adding that she hopes Elections Canada will focus on providing alternatives for students too.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2021.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press