Election 2019: Voters take advantage of increased opportunities to cast a ballot in South Okanagan – West Kootenay

Canadians and electors in the South Okanagan West Kootenay riding appear anxious to cast their ballot in this year’s federal election.

Elections Canada spokesperson Andrea Morantz says recent advance polls saw an increase in voters of 29 per cent.

Preliminary figures indicate 4,700,000 electors voted in advance polls over four days, compared to 3,657,415 citizens who voted in advance polling in the 2015 general election.

In the riding of South Okanagan West Kootenay, 20,533 residents voted in advance polls out of a total of 98,589 voters over the past weekend.

“It helped that there were 12 hours a day that the advance polls were open,” Morantz says. “We got the message loud and clear from Canadians, that they like the greater options for voting."

UBC Okanagan assistant professor of political science Maxime Héroux-Legault says it is difficult to know exactly what high advance turnout means.

"On one side, it can be a reflection of the interest in the election and motivation on the part of the voters. If this is correct, then this may suggest a high turnout on Monday.
On the other hand, it may also be a sign that Elections Canada has been more effective in promoting advance voting and that Canadians are more willing to use this means to vote. In this case, it might not indicate increased enthusiasm or a surge of participation on Monday," she says.

As part of our election coverage at iNFOnews.ca, we are asking questions we believe will offer insight to the candidates and the way they view local issues.

In our final question to South Okanagan West Kootenay candidates, INFOnews.ca asked, “Name one thing you wish your party was offering that anther party offers and explain why? If there was a minority government would you be willing to work with other parties?

Green candidate Tara Howes:
“As a Green MP, I am free to work with all colleagues, regardless of party affiliation, in order to get the job done.

As a first time political candidate in a grassroots political organization, the Green Party does not have the money nor large machinery that other parties have, something that clearly has benefits, such as training and staff. Instead of campaign school and volunteer training workshops, I have learned by trial and error. I, as do most other Green MPs, work throughout the campaign season and yet still manage to coordinate volunteers’ schedules and mine. Requests for greater signage and promotion are rolling in but it is the bank account that dictates how much can be done.

Of course, there are trade-offs. It is these trade-offs that I value more highly and why I chose to run with the Green Party. This is my voice. I am the one crafting and responding to these questions. I’m encouraged to have independence and creativity to create a campaign and to cultivate my political identity. I may lack the finesse of other candidates but my passion and drive are unparalleled. You have the opportunity to know the real “me”.

Conservative candidate Helena Konanz: 

“The Liberal government has failed to negotiate a new softwood lumber agreement, jeopardizing the livelihoods of forestry workers across Canada. I hope to see something in our platform about forestry and negotiating a deal that will help foresters in BC!"

INFOnews.ca did not receive a response from Liberal candidate Connie Denesiuk, NDP incumbent Richard Cannings or People’s Party of Canada Sean Taylor on this question.

For more stories about South Okanagan West Kootenay candidates, go to this link.

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