17-G-2021-05 – Adaptation to permit the returning officer for the electoral district of Skeena–Bulkley Valley to establish an advance polling station in the community of Bella Coola on September 10, 11 and 12, 2021

Canada Elections Act

44th General Election

Adaptation to permit the returning officer for the electoral district of Skeena–Bulkley Valley to establish an advance polling station in the community of Bella Coola on September 10, 11 and 12, 2021

Date of issue: September 9, 2021

Number: 17-G-2021-05

Whereas the writs for the 44th General Election were issued on August 15, 2021, with polling day on September 20, 2021;

Whereas the Chief Electoral Officer has authorized, through his adaptation 17-G-2021-04 of August 30, 2021, measures aimed at permitting the returning officer for the electoral district of Skeena–Bulkley Valley to establish an advance polling station in the community of Atlin on September 10, 11 and 12, 2021;

Whereas this same returning officer has established an advance polling station in Bella Coola, British Columbia at The Moose Hall;

Whereas the Moose Hall is the only possible location for the advance polling station in this remote area and there is no viable alternative for these voters to exercise their right to vote at advance polling;

Whereas the Moose Hall is only available to be used as an advance polling station on the 10th, 9th and 8th days before polling day due to the site being used on 7th days before polling day for a sitting of the British Columbia Provincial Court;

Whereas it is desirable to offer electors a reasonable opportunity to exercise their right to vote at the advance polling station established in Bella Coola;

And Whereas subsection 17(1) of the Act provides the following:

17(1) During an election period or within 30 days after it, if an emergency, an unusual or unforeseen circumstance or an error makes it necessary, the Chief Electoral Officer may, for the sole purpose of enabling electors to exercise their right to vote or enabling the counting of votes, adapt any provision of this Act and, in particular, may extend the time for doing any act, subject to subsection (2), or may increase the number of election officers or polling stations.

Therefore, pursuant to subsection 17(1) of the Act, the Chief Electoral Officer extends to the advance polling station in Bella Coola, in the electoral district of Skeena–Bulkley Valley, the application of his adaptation 17-G-2021-04 of August 30, 2021.

(Original Signed)

Stéphane Perrault
Chief Electoral Officer