The Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec, Jean-François Blanchet, has taken a special step to address the postal service disruption caused by the Canada Post strike ahead of the November 2 election. Blanchet announced that municipalities will be allowed to explore alternative methods to deliver important election documents to voters, emphasizing the crucial role of postal services in the electoral process.
Blanchet emphasized the need for municipalities to adapt and find alternative solutions in the absence of regular mail delivery. He encouraged voters to stay informed and reach out to their municipalities for guidance on how to exercise their voting rights effectively.
While the decision grants flexibility to municipalities during the strike, Blanchet clarified that if postal services resume promptly, they can still opt to send documents through mail.
To assist municipalities facing challenges, Élections Québec is offering support by suggesting various alternative delivery options. Municipalities are encouraged to prioritize ensuring that voters receive essential documents such as registration notices and reminder cards, even if that means resorting to delivery services, staff, or volunteers.
Moreover, the Quebec government has called for swift action to resolve the strike and ensure the distribution of election notices to voters. Municipal Affairs Minister Geneviève Guilbault emphasized the importance of maintaining communication channels and voter engagement amidst the strike.
The Union of Quebec Municipalities has also advocated for the distribution of election notices to be recognized as an essential postal service, underscoring the significance of timely information dissemination during the municipal elections.
