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October 18th, 2019

NDP Demands Elections Canada Ensure First Nations Evacuees' Right to Vote

THE PAS - NDP candidate and incumbent Niki Ashton (Churchill--Keewatinook Aski) today called on Elections Canada to ensure that First Nation evacuees have the right to vote. First Nations in the Interlake region were evacuated from their homes last Sunday following a devastating snowstorm.

“Elections Canada needs to be taking this seriously,” said Ashton. “It’s inconceivable that, due to the actions of Elections Canada main office, entire communities are going to be essentially disenfranchised from voting.”

The NDP sent a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer calling on him to rectify this situation. Among the issues raised included the fact that these communities were unable to vote during the advance vote and the actual voting location in Winnipeg is largely inaccessible to many evacuees spread out throughout the city and outside of the city.

In order to ensure the voting rights of First Nations affected, the NDP is asking Elections Canada to make available both mobile polls and the usage of special ballots so that evacuees registered with the Red Cross can have their voices heard.