TORONTO — On election day, the most important date of this fall’s federal campaign, Chani Aryeh-Bain, a Conservative candidate in Toronto, will not be able to call supporters, open her campaign office, send emails or run the crucial get-out-the-vote ground game.
The current election date of Oct. 21 falls on a Jewish high holiday, although a more obscure one called Shemini Atzeret. Nonetheless, for Canada’s estimated 75,000 orthodox Jews, it’s a significant impediment; they are to refrain from writing, travelling, using phones and pretty much anything else a busy candidate or engaged voter would want to do on election day.
“More troubling in the context of historical oppression of Jews, it sends a message to the broader Canadian society that this minority community and their beliefs do not count and their democratic rights are not worthy of protection.” Lawyers for Elections Canada dismissed accusations that the concerns of Jewish voters have been ignored or that the decision to keep the election date was made without regard to the Charter rights of voters.“He is being mindful and put a plan in place to protect those Charter rights. He is taking active steps to mitigate the risks.”
“The right to vote is not an individual right to vote on election day. It is not that narrow,” said Krajewska.
Other than Mama's disapproval, what actual, demonstrable harm occurs by voting on this holida or the less significant advance polling days? Another example of minority grandstanding and self-importance. Still waiting for ANY proof of a Great Sky Fairy equal to demands on science
If the date ends up getting moved, move it up 100 days. Canada is ready to kick TeamTrudeau to the curb today! cdnpoli
Time to ban all religions. No to date change. Some of these religions have more holidays than work days.
If it were a Muslim holiday, the media would be screaming.
Scheer Nonsense.
Scheer is a Jew ?
....and the great majority of Canadians want election reform and yet 🤷♀️
We shouldn't be moving an election date for any religious group.
Have they not ever heard of advanced polls?
The Trudeau charter needs to change. Religous freedom should be extended to your time at home or while you are in your house of worship but should not involve anything in the public realm. That should apply to all religions. This religious stuff destroys our country.
As an atheist, I think it’s ludicrous to change the National voting date to accommodate religious practices.
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