'Fast and swift': Voting made easy at Canada's largest polling station in Regina
Regina’s former Costco building on Victoria Avenue has been temporarily converted into Canada’s largest polling station.
Elections Canada referred to it as a “super poll” that combines 64 polls from the Regina-Wascana riding into one location, where thousands are expected to cast their vote Monday.
It’s the largest federal polling station in the country’s history, according to Elections Canada.
“It’s huge,” said Guy Loiselle, who voted Monday.
“I really wish we could do this every time there was an election, whether it would be provincial or federal.”
Under Saskatchewan’s newly reintroduced mask mandate, voters and workers must wear masks inside all polling stations. Masks will be handed out to those who do not have one.
“It was very COVID-friendly. There was lots of room, you’re not confused and everything was easy to find,” Loiselle said.
Caution tape and grocery carts were set up inside the warehouse to allow for physical distancing while creating separate aisles for each poll.
Based on the number at the top of each voter card, voters are directed to corresponding aisles to cast their ballot, with multiple checkpoints in between, according to second-time voter Mohammad Abdullah.
“It was pretty easy,” Abdullah said.
“It took maybe two minutes to cast my vote and then I just walked out.”
Polls across the province opened at 7:30 a.m. Monday. As of noon, Elections Canada estimated voters would be in and out of the super poll in 10 minutes.
Voter Kevin Dale McLean said he was impressed with the organization at the polling station and how quickly things came together in a snap election.
“It was fast and swift,” said McLean, who was out of the polling station in less than five minutes.
“I thought it was handled pretty efficiently.”
Polls close at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.