Canada Post Strike: Bailiffs to Deliver Electoral Notices in Gatineau
As Canada Post’s strike continues, municipalities are quickly adapting to ensure citizens receive their electoral notices. In Gatineau, authorities have enlisted the services of a private bailiff firm to manage this crucial task.
Delivery of Electoral Notices in Gatineau
Starting October 8, bailiffs wearing identifiable badges will deliver electoral notices across the city. This document is vital for confirming registration on the electoral list and informing voters where to exercise their voting rights. Typically, Canada Post handles this delivery, but a national strike has been ongoing since September 25.
Urgent Measures Implemented
- The city government has taken multiple swift actions to address the delivery issue.
- Jean-François Blanchet, the Director General of Elections (DGE), urged municipalities last week to seek alternative delivery services.
- He encouraged cities to call upon volunteers if necessary to ensure voting rights are preserved.
Gatineau, with a population of approximately 300,000 and around 200,000 eligible voters, has not disclosed the hiring cost of the private firm. However, this expense is expected to represent a significant portion of the electoral budget, which totals $2.8 million.
Cost and Logistics
The cost for delivery will range from $3 to $6 per residence, depending on the type of building. Some costs will be mitigated through the printing and distribution of combined notices instead of separate ones. Additionally, savings will arise from the absence of postage fees and utilizing pre-printed voter guides.
Challenges in Montreal
In Montreal, the electoral body announced that the postal delivery of approximately 800,000 envelopes scheduled for October 6 and 7 could not be completed. The distribution to homes and post offices, which is essential ahead of the electoral list verification period, has now become unattainable.
- Montreal’s electoral list consists of over 1.1 million people.
- Emmanuel Tani-Moore, the election president, emphasized the need for measures tailored to urban realities.
Voters in Montreal are urged to check their electoral registration online or contact the electoral office directly for assistance. In-person registration is also available from October 11 to 16 at designated revision offices.
