LAKELAND — Canadians will head to the polls on Sept. 20 to cast a federal ballot, just a month before municipal elections get underway throughout Alberta.
Last Sunday morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family made their way to Rideau Hall to request the newly appointed Governor General, Mary Simon, to dissolve the 43rd Parliament and draw up the 338 writs.
Simon approved the request, triggering Canada’s 44th federal election that will see a 36-day campaign period — the minimum campaign length permitted by law. The next fixed federal election was set for October of 2023.
Now that an election has been called, the government, Members of Parliament and each federal department and agency, will enter a "caretaker" mode, limiting major decisions until ballots have been counted, and Parliament resumes.
Fielding many questions from the press and opposition leaders on why the government decided to call an election during the ongoing and evolving pandemic, Trudeau said his government needs to hear from voters if they are onboard with the Liberal government’s plan to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The decisions your government makes right now will define the future your kids and grandkids grow up in,” he said. “In this pivotal, consequential moment, who wouldn’t want a say? Who wouldn’t want their chance to help decide where our country goes from here? Canadians need to choose how we finish the fight against COVID-19 and build back better.”
Trudeau added, “Canadians deserve their say, and that’s exactly what we are going to give them.”
Heading into the campaign, the Liberals hold 155 seats in the House of Commons, while the Conservatives have 119, the Bloc Québécois 32, the New Democrats 24 and the Green Party two. Five seats are held by independents. A party needs to win 170 seats to reach a majority government.
With new health measures added to the election process, the estimated cost for the upcoming election is $610 million. Mail-in ballot casting is also anticipated to increase.
Concern of voter fatigue
With municipal elections set to take place on Oct. 18 within the majority of municipalities across Alberta, County of St. Paul Reeve Steve Upham said the flash federal election could overshadow local elections.
“It's no surprise, I think politics is all about expediency,” said Upham. “The Liberals are feeling the need to call an election sooner rather than later. Would I prefer not to be on top of municipal elections? Absolutely. But the fact is that some parties in power will do whatever they need to do to be successful.”
Upham says he is hoping the federal election will have little effect on voter turnout for the municipal election, but is concerned about election and voter fatigue following the federal round of elections, which could lead to lower voter turnout in October.
“People get sick of people campaigning,” he said.
Taking into consideration the ongoing pandemic, with some regions entering a fourth wave, Upham stated, “Loading the federal election on top of the pandemic and people's fears about things in general — I'm not sure it was the best idea. I think delaying it would have been in the better interest of Canadians... the timing of this vote is strictly about having the best shot at getting re-elected.”
Lakeland This Week was unable to reach current Lakeland MPs for comment on the upcoming federal election as of press deadline.
MLA Laila Goodridge running for federal office
Laila Goodridge, the now former UCP MLA for the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche riding, has resigned to run as a candidate for the federal Conservative Party under Erin O’Toole.
In a statement posted on social media Goodridge wrote, “It’s been a true pleasure to serve my hometown and surrounding community as their MLA for the last three years. I’m excited to announce today that I will run to serve you as your next MP, joining Team O’Toole.”
Goodridge also served as Alberta’s special representative to the province’s Francophonie community until her resignation.
Premier Jason Kenney congratulated Goodridge and thanked her for her service as a UCP MLA.
“Laila is a true champion for her city and was a relentless advocate for her constituents as an MLA on issues like health care, child care and economic growth,” Kenney wrote, also on social media.
Goodridge will replace David Yurdiga as the Conservative candidate for the riding of Fort McMurray-Cold Lake.
