The Kenora riding’s newly re-elected MP Eric Melillo says Elections Canada and the federal government are reviewing polling station and voting issues that were reported in northern First Nation communities during election night.
Senator hopeful Tania Cameron reported that members of Wabauskang First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation and Cat Lake First Nation were not able to vote on Monday as all three communities did not host polling stations, representing the three missing polling stations in the area. The three communities represent about 1,600 eligible voters.
“It’s very concerning,” said Melillo. “That’s a major concern. Elections Canada needs to review this and essentially find out what happened to make sure it never happens again. If I’m not mistaken, they have started that process.”
Despite his victory, election issues aren’t the only frustration after the result of the 2021 federal election. Many have pointed out the fact that the federal government spend over $600 million to remain in the same minority government, and another snap election could be called in the next two years.
“It’s frustrating to see how much money was spent on this election, in the $610 million range, as well as it was called right in the middle of the fourth wave,” notes Melillo. “It took away from the work we could have been doing in parliament, to virtually get the same result. It shows how unnecessary the election truly was.”
Elections Canada is reporting that 24,527 of 45,500 registered voters, or just under 54 per cent, cast their vote in the Kenora riding, with 147 of 150 polls reporting. Nationally, Canada saw a drop in voters with 58 per cent of residents head to the polls.
However, Melillo is still thankful and honoured to remain Kenora’s Member of Parliament, a position he’s retained since 2019, when he beat out incumbent MP Bob Nault by less than 1,200 votes. But in 2021’s election, he retook his position with an over 3,000 vote lead to the NDP’s Janine Seymour.
“It’s an incredible honour to be re-elected and continue to serve our region in parliament. I’m thankful to everyone who put their trust in me, to all who voted and the other candidates who put their names forward. We all ran very positive campaigns.”
This is Canada’s 15th minority federal government and fifth in the last seven elections. Although the Liberals hold more seats than any other party, Prime Minister Trudeau will need support from other parties to pass any legislation.
“Of course, there is some disappointment in the national picture given that we will not form the next government. But the Conservatives once again garnered the most votes. So I’m optimistic about what lies ahead for our party. My focus is going to be holding the government to account, advocating for our region and delivering results.”
This is Canada’s 15th minority federal government and fifth in the last seven elections. Although the Liberals hold more seats than any other party, Prime Minister Trudeau will need support from other parties to pass any legislation.
Heading into the election, Melillo said his priorities included funding new infrastructure work in northwestern Ontario, delivering high-speed internet to all regions by 2025, to stand up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners and to advance reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
The federal Kenora riding, the largest in Ontario, has been bouncing between the Progressive Conservatives and the Liberals since its creation in 2004, after being split from Thunder Bay and Rainy River. The last NDP candidate to win the riding federally was John Edmund Parry in 1988.