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Scrutineers, poll workers hired at the last minute, Élection Québec says

Some employees could not work because they contracted COVID-19.

People enter an advance-polling station in L'Assomption Sept. 25, 2022.
People enter an advance-polling station in L'Assomption Sept. 25, 2022. Photo by Graham Hughes /The Canadian Press

Élections Québec was scrambling Sunday to fill dozens of vacancies in two Montreal ridings with large anglophone populations — D’Arcy-McGee and Mont-Royal—Outremont.

“We were hiring people until last night,” said Danny Lapointe, a spokesperson for Élections Québec.

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Four days before the vote in Monday’s provincial election, the organization put out a new release publicizing the worker shortage.

At the time, there were 50 jobs to fill in D’Arcy—McGee and 60 in Mont-Royal—Outremont.

Some scrutineers and other people hired to work election day had to pull out after developing COVID-19, Lapointe said. He said he didn’t know whether all the vacancies were filled in time for Monday’s vote, which began at 9:30 a.m.

“Some people might have to wait a bit longer, but we are trying to work it out so that doesn’t happen. We hope it will go well.”

The agency that runs the election was also trying to fill positions in L’Assomption, the riding of incumbent premier François Legault.

There were also vacancies in the Outaouais (Hull and Pontiac), Montérégie (Beauharnois) and the Eastern Townships (Mégantic).

kwilton@postmedia.com

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