With a full slate of candidates on the ballot, Canadians can start casting their votes in the 2008 general election as early as Oct. 3, Oct. 4 and Oct. 6 by advance voting. The official election day is Tuesday, Oct. 14.
As well, people who cannot visit polling stations in person will be able to obtain special ballots. More information, including polling station locations and hours, will be posted this week on the Elections Canada website, www.elections.ca.
The West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country riding is the biggest in Canada in terms of population with 129.241 people and 95,306 registered voters, according to the latest census and tax rolls.
The incumbent MP is Blair Wilson, who was elected as a member of the Liberal Party in 2006. He is now a member of the Green Party.
The Conservative Party will be represented by John Weston, who placed second to Wilson in 2006 by less than 1,000 votes. He has been the Conservative candidate for the riding since 2005.
The Liberal Party candidate in this election is Squamish Mayor Ian Sutherland, who became the candidate by acclamation on the eve of the election.
The NDP candidate is Bill Forst.
To vote in the coming election you need a government I.D. like a driver’s licence and something that shows your current address, two original pieces of identification recognized by the electoral officers (e.g. health card and hydro bill), or a sworn oath that is vouched for by another voter with the proper I.D.
Whistler all candidates meeting Sept. 29
The Whistler Chamber of Commerce will again be hosting a federal all candidates meeting from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29 at Whistler Secondary School. The forum will be open to questions from the audience, and all candidates are expected to take part.
Each candidate will be given time to make a short introduction, and then the event will be opened for questions from the floor. Mike Mills will moderate the questions and discussion, and keep the evening moving along.
Squamish all candidates meeting Oct. 6
Liberal candidate Ian Sutherland will be playing before a hometown crowd at the Squamish Chamber of Commerce’s all candidates meeting on Monday, Oct. 6. The event will take place in the Sea to Sky Hotel ballroom from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The format allows for introductory remarks by each candidate, followed by a series of questions from the moderator. The public will have a chance to weigh in during a moderated question period, after which point the candidates will present their closing remarks.
