Election day: N.L. first to the polls to elect 45th Canadian Parliament

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will be the first to cast their ballots on Monday as Canadians vote to elect the 45th Parliament. 

With seven seats to fill in the House of Commons, Newfoundland and Labrador's political landscape will be shaken up.

Dozens of new candidates have campaigned to represent all parts of the province in Ottawa, with the majority of incumbents stepping away from the political sphere this time around. That means there will be some new faces representing the province.

With Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet pushing for a change in government, Mark Carney is the new face vying to keep the Liberals in power.

If Carney wins, the Liberals enter a fourth term in government. The last time that happened was under former prime minister Wilfred Laurier—114 years ago.

Carney, Poilievre, and Singh brought their campaigns to stops in Newfoundland and Labrador, each with their own promises, policies and hopeful changes. 

Carney was the first to land on the island on March 23. There he announced the review and potential restructuring of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He later promised to cut fares by at least half for Marine Atlantic users. 

Poilievre visited St. John's on April 1. He promised to double the province's oil and gas production and grant rapid permits to a proposed liquefied natural gas facility in Placentia Bay to ship more oil to Europe. He also promised to unlock "the power of First Nations workers" with Indigenous loan guarantees and the establishment of the Canadian Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (CIOC).

On April 5, Singh made his stop in St. John's. He promised to focus on local fishermen rather than large commercial fleets, and  promised a family doctor for every Canadian by 2030. About one-third of the population in Newfoundland and Labrador is without a family doctor, according to the province's medical association.

Polls will open across the province at 8:30 a.m. NT and close at 8:30 p.m. NT.

'A historic time'

This year's general election is a unique one. Many people across Newfoundland and Labrador are facing the consequences of a rising cost of living while Canada attempts to hold its ground amid a global trade war. 

Kya Costigan of Labrador City says that's why she decided to vote for the first time. 

"It's such a historic time," she told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning. 

Costigan says she wants a prime minister who will preserve a national identity. She says that means maintaining universal health care, protecting the 2SLGBTQ+ community and supporting social programs. 

The Labrador City resident was eligible to vote in previous elections, but this is the first year she's casting a ballot. 

"One of the problems, I think, that held be back in the past was that I just didn't feel secure enough, in my opinion, to make an informed choice," said Costigan.

This time around, she says she's been following politics closely. Costigan says she feels the threats to Canada's economy and sovereignty and wants to take to the polls.

What's more, many other young Canadians are feeling the same way this election, she says.

Elections Canada reported record turnout at the advance polls this year. The Cape Spear riding saw over 15,000 voters.

At a polling station in that riding Monday morning, people were lined up at the door before polls opened. CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show met Memorial University political science professor Kelly Blidook there.

He's expecting those high voting numbers to continue through the day.

"I don't recall any elections feeling quite like this one," said Blidook.

In addition to thinking about "an existential threat to the country occurring south of the border," the professor said, "people are shopping differently, people are traveling differently. I would be really surprised if we don't sort of see a big turnout in this election."

WATCH | Voters in Clarenville speak with the CBC's Terry Roberts: 

Some voters in Clarenville say who they’ve voted for — and why

1 hour ago

Duration 1:45

The town of Clarenville is part of the riding of Terra Nova-The Peninsulas, and is one of seven federal seats in Newfoundland and Labrador. Voters spoke with the CBC’s Terry Roberts about the issues that mattered most to them when it comes to casting a ballot for a political party.

Bailey Barrett, a voter in Clarenville, told CBC News that he wanted to make sure his voice was heard. He was driven to vote over concerns of climate change and the cost of living.

"People don't really see young people as voters, but I mean I've always done it. It's kind of the only option you have as a little person to try to make an impact. And that's why I do it," Barrett said.

In Grand Falls-Windsor, Darren Toope said he was compelled to vote with housing and the cost of living in mind.

"I don't know where we're going to go with this. And it's tough, it really is tough for people to survive."

Here's who's running in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Labrador

Labrador is the province's largest riding with the smallest population. 

Three political rookies are looking to take a seat in Ottawa, following former Liberal MP Yvonne Jones' decision to step down after spending more than a decade in federal politics.

The candidates are:

• Philip Earle, Liberal Party, 

• Marius Normore, New Democratic Party,

• Ella Wallace, Conservative Party. 

Long Range Mountains

The Long Range Mountains stretch across Newfoundland's vast west coast. Five candidates are in the running for a seat formerly occupied by Liberal MP Gudie Hutchings.

The candidates:

• Don Bradshaw, Liberal,

• Sarah Parsons, NDP, 

• Carol Anstey, Conservative,

• Pamela Geiger, People's Party of Canada,

• Robbie Coles, Independent.

Central Newfoundland

Three candidates are vying for office in a riding that makes up the bulk of the island's interior, including the province's only incumbent Conservative.

The candidates:

• Clifford Small, Conservative,

• Lynette Powell, Liberal,

• Darian Vincent, NDP.

Terra Nova-The Peninsulas

Three political rookies want to replace former Liberal MP Churence Rogers, and start their political careers representing a swatch of eastern Newfoundland.

The candidates:

• Anthony Germain, Liberal,

• Jonathan Rowe, Conservative,

• Liam Ryan, NDP.

Avalon

Voters on the Avalon have several options to consider before ticking their ballot, following former Liberal MP Ken McDonald's decision not to run again.

The candidates:

• Paul Connors, Liberal,

• Steve Kent, Conservative, 

• Judy Vanta, NDP,

• Alex Tilley, Rhinoceros Party.

St. John's East

Three political heavyweights are running a tight race, including incumbent Joanne Thompson.

The candidates:

• Joanne Thompson, Liberal,

• David Brazil, Conservative,

• Mary Shortall, NDP,

• Otis Crandell, Green Party,

• Sam Crête, Communist Party.

Cape Spear

Represented by outgoing Liberal MP Seamus O'Regan, five candidates are running in Cape Spear for their first time in federal office.

The candidates:

• Tom Osborne, Liberal,

• Corey Curtis, Conservative,

• Brenda Walsh, NDP,

• Kaelem Tingate, Green Party,

• Mike Peach, Animal Protection Party.

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