For the fifteenth year in a row, global freedom declined in 2020, according to the American non-profit organization Freedom House. This democratic downturn was hastened by the COVID-19 pandemic, as autocrats ranging from Hungary’s Orbán Viktor to Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed abused their emergency powers to consolidate control over their countries. Democracy is under attack worldwide, which is why I found it disheartening to see such cynicism over the federal election held this September.
The 44th Canadian general election was run effectively and safely. As always, Elections Canada successfully administered this election across our gargantuan country, enabling Canadians—whether from the largest condo developments in Toronto or from isolated communities like Churchill, Manitoba— to cast their ballots with (relative) ease. Aside from the disreputable People’s Party and a singular NDP campaign, there were no allegations of impropriety. For those weary of voting in a pandemic, Elections Canada provided several alternatives to voting on Election Day, including voting by mail, four days of advanced voting, and the special ballot at the returning offices. Reports of long lines at polls are unfortunate, but may reflect those who visited the polls during peak hours; my father got caught in a long line when he voted in the morning, but it took me all of five minutes to vote at the same poll at midday.
While the election was well run overall, it would be remiss not to mention certain issues. Elections Canada’s inability to provide on-campus voting is both regrettable and perplexing, but the ease of voting in Canada lessened the blow. Students could still vote in their home ridings by mail or at the returning offices, and they could vote in their schooltime ridings. Admittedly, obtaining the proper documentation for the latter option could be difficult—but ID is not actually required to vote. Canada’s commitment to the sanctity of the vote allows individuals to cast their ballots without identification as long as another registered voter vouches for them.
More egregious than the lack of campus voting, however, were the added difficulties faced by marginalized Canadians voting this year. There were reports that certain Indigenous fly-in communities did not have access to polling stations, which is shameful. Usually, residents in buildings owned by the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), the City of Toronto’s public housing agency, can vote in polling centres located in their own buildings. Because of the pandemic, however, TCHC refused to allow these polls, severely impacting some residents. For example, residents of 245 Dunn Avenue in my riding of Parkdale-High Park were not able to vote in their building, nor in the polling centre at the Bonar Presbyterian Church across the street. Residents were also not allowed to vote in the Parkdale Branch of the Toronto Public Library, located a mere three-minute walk away. Instead, residents of 245 Dunn had to vote at the Argonaut Rowing Club, a 1.3 kilometre walk which crosses both Lakeshore Boulevard West and the Gardiner Expressway. This inconvenience was ridiculous, especially as many residents of the complex have mobility issues that impair them from reaching their polls.
There is no denying that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called this election in the hopes of parlaying his government’s successful vaccine procurement and emergency economic response into a majority government for the Liberal Party. Displeasure at such opportunism is legitimate to an extent. But when we can see before our eyes how democratic rights across the globe are being snuffed out, it is saddening to see fellow Canadians angered by the opportunity to choose their rulers, especially when billions lack such a privilege.
The fact that the new parliament will have a similar composition as the previous is irrelevant. The actual result of the election neither justifies nor invalidates the election itself. Whether Trudeau had secured a majority or O’Toole had succeeded him as Prime Minister, the election would not be seen as “pointless,” as the result reflects the will of the nation. Likewise, the reconfirmation of the 2019 results are equally as reflective of the electorate, which is the fundamentally important aspect of an election.
Further contributing to public cynicism is how the opposition fanned it. After repeatedly claiming that the Prime Minister is unfit to lead and must be replaced, the opposition’s best campaign line is to complain that they have been given an opportunity to prove themselves right. The fact that the cost of the election was considered a bigger issue than the pandemic or climate change is unfortunate, because $600 million to decide Canada’s future seems like money well spent.