8.95°C Vancouver

Feb 11, 2021 6:37 PM -

Uncertainty surrounds election delay in Newfoundland and Labrador

Share On
uncertainty-surrounds-election-delay-in-newfoundland-and-labrador
Liberal Leader Andrew Furey, left to right, Progressive Conservative Leader Ches Crosbie and NDP Leader Alison Coffin pose for a photo following their televised debate from the floor of the House of Assembly in St. John's N.L. on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Newfoundland and Labrador is entering uncharted legal territory as the province's chief electoral officer has called for Saturday's provincial election to be delayed in 17 ridings because of a sudden COVID-19 surge. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly

Voting is being postponed in parts of Newfoundland in Saturday's provincial election.

The elections officer is delaying voting in 18 districts across the Avalon Peninsula, including in St. John's.

Officials say with a record 53 new COVID-19 cases and 32 presumptive cases reported yesterday, they can't hang on to enough workers to staff the polls.

Voting will go ahead as planned in other parts of the province, but the results won't be released until all the voting has been completed.

Mail-in voting options have been extended.

Prof. Michael Pal, a University of Ottawa law professor who specializes in elections and constitutional law, says the province's Elections Act does not include provisions that specifically deal with suspending the vote in this kind of situation.

Pal says the province's chief electoral officer has broad powers, but it would appear they have never been used in this manner.

Latest news

trump-imposes-extra-10-tariff-on-canadian-goods-after-ontario-anti-tariff-ad
CanadaOct 25, 2025

Trump Imposes Extra 10% Tariff on Canadian Goods After Ontario Anti-Tariff Ad

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is adding a 10 per cent surcharge on imports from Canada, citing frustration over an Ontario government advertisement that criticized American trade tariffs. The ad, which used a quote from former U.S. president Ronald Reagan, aired during the opening game of the World Series and called for fairer treatment of Canadian products. Trump announced the additional tariff on his social media platform Truth Social while en route to Malaysia aboard Air Force One. He said Ontario Premier Doug Ford should have removed the advertisement sooner, despite Ford’s commitm
two-vancouver-men-charged-after-cfseu-bc-investigation-targets-fentanyl-trafficking-network
BCOct 24, 2025

Two Vancouver men charged after CFSEU-BC investigation targets fentanyl trafficking network

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia says two Vancouver men are facing multiple drug trafficking charges after a months-long investigation that disrupted an organized network accused of distributing fentanyl and other illicit substances across the Lower Mainland. The investigation began in February 2024 after CFSEU-BC’s Anti-Trafficking Task Force identified a suspect believed to be supplying large amounts of fentanyl and other drugs through a coordinated network. On October 2, 2024, police executed search warrants at two homes in the region, seizing more than thr
man-found-not-criminally-responsible-in-2023-vancouver-chinatown-festival-stabbings
BCOct 24, 2025

Man found not criminally responsible in 2023 Vancouver Chinatown festival stabbings

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled that a man who stabbed three people during a Vancouver Chinatown festival in 2023 is not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder. Justice Eric Gottardi delivered the decision Friday, saying the law does not convict people for acts committed while they are mentally ill. The ruling concerns 67-year-old Blair Donnelly, whose trial heard he believed he was acting under divine instruction when he carried out the attack last September. Court testimony showed Donnelly had asked the Holy Spirit for a sign not to proceed, but said he “wanted to obey God”
alberta-pays-95-million-to-settle-another-coal-policy-lawsuit-total-payouts-near-240-million
AlbertaOct 24, 2025

Alberta pays $95 million to settle another coal policy lawsuit, total payouts near $240 million

The Alberta government has agreed to pay $95 million to Evolve Power, resolving another lawsuit linked to the province’s reversal of its coal policy. The latest settlement brings total payouts to almost $240 million, following a $143 million agreement reached earlier this year with another mining company. According to a notice to shareholders, Evolve Power will return two coal leases to the province as part of the deal. The company said the agreement represents the best possible outcome and that its board will soon determine dividends for shareholders. Energy Minister Brian Jean’s office c
fraser-valley-hospital-begins-4-95m-mri-upgrade-to-improve-diagnostic-access
BCOct 24, 2025

Fraser Valley hospital begins $4.95M MRI upgrade to improve diagnostic access

Patients across the Fraser Valley will soon benefit from faster and more accurate diagnostic imaging as Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre undergoes a $4.95 million upgrade to its MRI unit. The project aims to enhance imaging quality and reduce wait times for residents needing critical scans. During the construction period, a mobile MRI unit will remain on site to ensure uninterrupted service. The hospital’s existing MRI scanner, which has surpassed its expected lifespan, will be fully refurbished using its original magnet – the most energy-intensive component to produce – wh

Related News