Advance voting stations are now open in B.C., one of three byelections happening in the country later this month with folks in North Vancouver – Capilano taking to the polls to cast an early vote.
Earlier this year Johnathan Wilkinson was appointed as Canada’s Ambassador to the European Union, stepping down as MP for the riding after more than a decade of holding the seat. And with a new face set to step in, political scientist Stewart Prest, says he doesn’t expect the vote to sway too far from the past.
“It is a safe Liberal seat, has been for some time. There is no indication that I am aware of at this moment where the electorate is looking to turn on the Liberals,” says Prest.
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There are a total of six candidates running. That includes Liberals Braeden Caley, who most recently served as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s deputy chief of staff. Conservatives Stephen Curran. Green Party’s Shelley Luce. NDP’s Stephen Tweedale. People’s Party of Canada Ehsan Arj-mand and a sole independent candidate, Jeff Monds.
A lot of choices for constituents.
Liberals only need to win one of the three ridings to keep their majority, and while we don’t typically see a high voter turnout in byelections, it’s a good way to check the voter pulse.
“This will give us an indication of where people who are paying attention to politics are in terms of this liberal government so it is a small piece of data but it’s an important one none the less,” said Prest.
Dozens of advance polling stations are now set up across the riding with nearly 350 election staff assisting in the process.
“One thing electors should know is that A: they have to live in the riding and they have to vote at their assigned polling place so the best way to check is either if you’re living in the riding where the byelection is taking place and to confirm exactly where you need to go if you want to vote this weekend go to elections.ca, you can enter your postal code and you’ll get all your information there,” said Matthew McKenna, spokesperson for Elections Canada.
Now for voters in North Vancouver – Capilano who will be casting their early vote for this byelection well, they can do so starting Friday, going into the weekend Saturday, Sunday, and Monday’s which is all leading up this August 31st byelection – at which time we’ll see who takes on this MP seat in the riding of North Vancouver-Capilano.
