Voting in Simcoe Muskoka: What to know before heading to the polls
Polling stations are open across Simcoe Muskoka and surrounding areas with long lines as voters cast their ballots on Monday.
The Holly Community Centre had a lineup as soon as the doors opened at 9:30 Monday morning in Barrie.
One by one, residents funnelled into the building to cast their ballot.
"For younger people like myself, it's important to vote," said Ryan Staite.
Many waiting in line said they came to voice their opinion on several key issues, including the handling of the pandemic.
"We have a right to vote. It's Canada, and it's part of your freedoms. It's also part of your voice. Don't complain if you don't vote because you had a chance to change things," said Susan Roach, who was voting at Dorian Parker Pavilion.
"It's a big vote with what's going on, and we need to make sure we're going in a positive direction moving forward," said Bill Jacques before casting his ballot.
WHAT DO I NEED TO VOTE
Voters need to wear a mask and bring their voter card, photo identification and a pencil. However, most voting stations will supply single-use pencils.
If a resident doesn't have a photo ID, a bank statement, housing lease, or utility bill will suffice. A list of accepted ID to prove your identity is available here.
According to Elections Canada, the advance polls saw a record number of voters nationwide.
The Country totalled 5.7 million early votes which is an increase of 18 per cent from the 2019 federal election, said Rejean Grenier, regional media advisor for Elections Canada.
Grenier said with the rise in voting activity this year polling stations are prepared if there is another large turnout.
"We plan for every Canadian to vote. That's our plan, and we've seen surges before, "said Grenier.
WHERE TO FIND A POLLING STATION ACROSS THE REGION
Residents are assigned a specific polling station on their voter card, which should have recently arrived in the mail.
Unlike in previous years, usual voting stations may have changed locations due to COVID-19.
Elections Canada urges voters to check the voting address on the information card and be prepared to follow pandemic guidelines.
"Voters themselves will have to wear a mask, and if you've forgotten one, don't worry we have millions of them," said Grenier.
Aside from that, tables and lineups will be socially distanced.
Find out where polling stations are in your riding:
Barrie - Innisfil
Barrie - Springwater - Oro-Medonte
Parry Sound - Muskoka
Newmarket - Aurora
York Simcoe
Dufferin - Caledon
Bruce - Grey - Owen Sound
Simcoe North
Simcoe Grey
Polls will close at 9:30 p.m.
CTV News Barrie will have all the local and national election results available here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.