'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
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING 14 suspects arrested in grandparent scam targeting seniors across Canada: Ontario police
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.