The Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board has worked closely with Elections Canada to identify schools to be used as polling stations for the upcoming federal election on September 20, 2021. Schools selected were required to meet the criteria outlined in the memorandum from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health on August 24, 2021, which sets out a strict set of criteria for all school boards that will ensure a safe environment for all.
All steps will be taken to ensure compliance with the criteria established by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, which includes the requirement that there be a direct path and separate entrance and exit for voters that will allow access directly to the polling station without coming into contact with students and staff. Voters will also have to comply with masking and physical distancing requirements and will not be permitted or have any access to other parts of the school facility.
Students and staff will be kept completely separate from the public. Elections Canada has also provided a comprehensive list of
COVID-19 Pandemic Adaptive Measures for Polling Places
- additional on-site workers and/or security guards to monitor the flow of voters and to ensure areas designated as “off-limits'' are not accessed;
- designated directional signage to clearly indicate the path leading directly to the voting room, and signage informing electors of COVID-19 health and safety protocols;
- installing hand sanitizers at entrances and exits to and from the specific polling place;
- keeping additional hand sanitizer on service desks;
- offering masks to visitors who do not bring them; and,
- disinfecting frequently touched surfaces in the voting room and other areas of the polling place during voting hours.
In addition to the strict adherence to the COVID-19 health and safety measures outlined in our NPSC School Reopening Plan, as well as the criteria issued by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Elections Canada adaptive measures referenced above, enhanced cleaning and ventilation of the voting space will occur, and will be enforced, once voting has concluded for the day.
We are working closely with Elections Canada and in ongoing consultation with the Health Unit and are confident that the above measures will continue to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff.