As some of the first people to cast their votes in the country, many residents of St. John’s had a strong message for people of Canada.
“You really need to get out and vote,” Jacinta McIsaac told The Telegram after she marked her X at the Seniors Resource Centre on Bennett Avenue minutes after polling stations opened in the province.
“We’re going through a lot of changes and we’re facing a lot of debt, so it’s important for us to have a say in our future.”
After casting her vote at the Seniors Resource Centre in St. John’s this morning, Jacinta McIsaac said this about voting. @StJohnsTelegram @SaltWireNetwork #canadavotes2019 pic.twitter.com/USbZVdV4N2
— Rosie Mullaley (@TelyRosie) October 21, 2019
Millions are expected to cast their vote today in Canada’s 43rd general election to decide if Liberal leader Justin Trudeau will return as Prime Minister or he will be replaced. The top contenders are Conservative leader Andrew Scheer, according to recent opinion polls, followed by NDP leader Jagmeet Singh as a close third.
“It’s important to vote no matter who you vote for,” Jim Brennan said while walking out of the Seniors Resource Centre. “If you don’t, you don’t have the right to complain about the government and how things are done.”
Brennan’s sister-in-law is voting for the first time in many years since moving home from the United States.
“After living in the U.S., where things are so divided, unity is the most important thing, in my opinion,” she said. “We need to keep it an important issue.”
Lloyd Maloney started off the day — his birthday — by marking his X.
“We’re heading out of town today, but I had to come here first,” he said. “It’s going to be a very interesting day, I think.”
Lloyd Maloney and Donna Best of St. John’s were among some of the first people to cast their votes at the Seniors Centre on Bennett Avenue this morning. Listen to what they had to say. @StJohnsTelegram #ElectionDay @SaltWireNetwork pic.twitter.com/AtUReiVKNN
— Rosie Mullaley (@TelyRosie) October 21, 2019
Donna Best is hoping there will be a good turnout all the polling stations.
“I believe everyone should vote,” she said. “It’s our right.”
For Charles Chaytor, the key issue in this election is improving health care and our quality of life.
“It seems the politicians all have their own agenda, but whoever gets in needs to know what’s important for us,” he said while exiting the Swilers Rugby Club polling station on Crosbie Road.
“But people need to have a voice and vote.”
Another early voter, Ed Brown, said, “This is a democracy and I’m having my say.”
Twitter: @TelyRosie
