By Chad Ingram

Published Sept. 25 2018

Three of Haliburton County’s four lower-tier townships are using mail-in ballots for the Oct. 22 municipal elections and are looking at contingency plans in case a strike by Canada Post workers proceeds.
Canada Post’s unionized workers and the Crown failed to reach a new contract deal by the end of August and a strike deadline for this week – Sept. 26 – has been put in place.
The municipalities of Dysart et al Highlands East and Algonquin Highlands all plan to use mail-in ballots (polling stations are also open locally on election day).

In Dysart some 13000 voter kits are to be mailed out.
“We do have some scenario plans in place” Dysart municipal clerk Cheryl Coulson told the paper.
In Highlands East staff are also working on contingency in case of a postal strike.
“Highlands East is most definitely creating a contingency plan but until such time that we have confirmation of a strike or disruption in services we will be limited on sharing specific details as not to cause confusion for our electors” an email from clerk Robyn Rogers reads. “We will continue to update our website social media [and local media] as we receive more information. In the event of a strike or disruption it is so important to get those details out to our voters as quickly as possible relying heavily on all avenues of media.”

In Minden Hills the October election will be the second one to use internet and telephone voting in addition to polling stations.