How to vote in York-Simcoe’s federal byelection

Thestar.com
Feb. 25, 2019
Jack Hauen

York-Simcoe heads to the polls today to elect a new federal representative, after longtime Conservative MP Peter Van Loan announced his retirement last July.

Voters can input their postal code in the Elections Canada website to find a polling station closest to them -- along with accessibility information -- or call the office of the returning officer toll free at 1 866 715-5110 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Residents can check to see if they are registered to vote here. Voters can also register at the polling station before they vote.

The deadline to apply to vote by mail was Feb. 19, so if you didn’t do that, you’re out of luck on that front. Those who have successfully applied must have mailed in their ballot by Monday for it to be counted.

Tory candidate Scot Davidson was born and raised in Georgina, Ont., and has owned and operated a number of companies, including the former Bonnie Boats marina in Jackson’s Point. He has said if he wins he would work to help small businesses prosper and make the proposed Hwy. 400-404 connecting link a reality.

Liberal candidate Shaun Tanaka is making her second bid for the seat, having also run in 2015. A professor, Tanaka teaches geography at both the University of Toronto and Queen’s. She also has a long history of volunteer work in the region.

NDP candidate Jessa McLean of Sutton, Ont., has committed to work on eliminating poverty, ensuring fair taxation, ending reliance on fossil fuels and introducing national pharmacare. She has been most recently active with the campaign for a $15 minimum wage.

Others candidates running are: Mathew Lund for the Green Party, Dorian Baxter for the Progressive Canadian Party, Robert Geurts for the People’s Party, Keith Dean Komar for the Libertarians, Adam Suhr for the National Citizens Alliance and John the Engineer Turmel as an Independent.