Alberta sees highest voter turnout since 1988 federal election, data shows
CBC
Seven in 10 voters in Alberta cast a ballot in the federal election, the highest turnout in the past dozen elections, Elections Canada data shows.
The non-partisan agency, which conducts federal-level elections in this country, was still waiting on a few dozen polls to finish reporting as of Wednesday afternoon.
But its preliminary data suggests Alberta outpaced Canada's turnout for a third straight election, despite the country also reporting its highest turnout in decades.
"I was expecting it to be high," said Alberta-based political pollster Janet Brown.
"Sometimes, Alberta doesn't pull higher than other places because we've got a younger population, and younger people are less likely to vote," she said. "What this speaks to is just how serious Albertans are taking the issues that are on the agenda right now."
Alberta's voter turnout was just under 70 per cent, data shows, almost six points higher than the last federal election in 2021. It was the highest proportion since three-quarters of electors cast a ballot in the 1988 election.
The province had the fifth-highest turnout among provinces and territories, and outpaced Canada's turnout of 68.7 per cent, data shows.
The national turnout was the highest since the 1993 election.
Brown found it interesting that voter turnout was on par with the 1988 election, she said, because there were also tensions with the U.S. about free trade at that time.
"I haven't seen an election like this since 1988," she said.
She and Feodor Snagovsky, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Alberta, each noted that more people tend to go to the polls when they feel the country is facing significant issues.
Some of the main concerns this election, Snagovsky said, were perceived threats from the U.S. on Canada's sovereignty and the ongoing trade war, the rising cost of living and housing affordability.
"If [electors] think the issues really matter, they are much more motivated to turn out and vote. If they perceive there to be a big difference between the parties, people turn out and vote," he said.
Snagovsky also noted that Alberta's voter turnout in this election was similar to 2015. In both elections, he said, there was a desire for change.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.