2 weeks Ago By Ari Yanover
Staffing shortages could be a reality for several ridings near Edmonton on election night. With just five days to go before the votes are counted, Elections Canada is still trying to figure out who will be crossing out names and counting ballots in four northern Alberta ridings. The organization is still looking to hire 150 people in Peace River-Westlock, 50 in Lakeland, 50 in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake and 25 in Yellowhead.
If Elections Canada doesn’t find the staff it needs for voting night, it will be up to the returning officer in each riding to determine how the smaller-than-expecting staffing crew will be deployed. “ The returning officers usually try to hire more staff, about 10 per cent more than they will need, to account for people who don’t show up to work for whatever reason,” said Elections Canada spokesperson Leanne Nyirfa. “The returning officers have the authority to make adjustments and decisions to serve electors effectively and efficiently with the number of staff they have available.
” If the advance polls are any indication, April 28 promises to be a busy day and night at the polls. Elections Canada reported that a record 7,280,975 Canadians voted in advance polls, up from 5,852,391 in 2021. In Alberta, 815,131 voted early, compared to 646,090 in 2021.
Numbers were up in all provinces and territories except for Yukon. To be eligible to work for Elections Canada, an applicant needs to be at least 16 years of age. The pay rate for election day and night ranges from $20.
01 to $26.46 per hour. To apply, job seekers need to go to elections.
ca and click on the “Jobs” link. Job training takes about three to four hours. “Training can be virtual, but preferably it is done in person.
Workers receive hands-on training in serving electors,” said Nyirfa. Applicants need basic literacy and interpersonal skills, must be able to aid people with disabilities, and will be OK working a long day, at least 13 hours. Workers should be prepared to stand for long periods of time and be ready to be near doors that are regularly opening and closing, allowing cold drafts to come into the polling area.
The workers also need to be willing to check the exteriors of the polling areas and have the math skills needed to count ballots. RelatedYoung people excited to cast ballots at U of A advance federal election polling stationAlbertan, 97, extends hospital stay just so he can vote in federal election Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.
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