Due to concerns about voting by mail during the Canada Post postal workers strike, Musqueam’s Electoral Officer, Jolene Irons-McDivitt from OneFeather, issued a notice in the early evening of Monday, November 18.
The notice is available on OneFeather’s Musqueam elections webpage, and is also shared below in full, as well as in PDF and image formats.
In summary, electors have until this Friday, November 22, to request a mail-in ballot package. OneFeather will courier the package to you, and it is your responsibility to return the ballot package to the Electoral Officer before the close of poll on Friday, November 29 at 8pm.
Electors can courier their mail-in ballots back to OneFeather, or to someone who can drop it off in-person on voting day. Please do NOT send your package to the band office.
Please keep in mind that couriers will be busier than normal because of the strike. It is recommended to submit your request form ASAP so there is time to receive and send it back.
Administration will cover courier costs upon submission of a receipt and confirmation with OneFeather. Scroll to the bottom for further information about reimbursement.
If you have questions about the request form or mail-in ballot package, please contact OneFeather at [email protected] or call 1-855-923-3006 during office hours.
Click here to read the OneFeather notice as a PDF
Important Notice Regarding Mail Service Disruption
Dear Electors,
I understand many of you are concerned about the impact of the Canada Post strike on your ability to vote. I share your concerns about this situation. However, as your Electoral Officer, I must be clear that I have no legal authority under the First Nation Election Act (FNEA) to make any special arrangements or extend deadlines due to postal disruptions.
Your vote matters, so I strongly encourage you to take one of these actions:
If you have NOT yet requested a mail-in ballot package the deadline to request is: Friday Nov. 22, 2024:
- The Nation has arranged to courier Mail-In Ballot Packages to you; and it is the responsibility of the voter to return the Mail-In Ballot Package to the Electoral Officer before the close of poll
If you have ALREADY received a mail-in ballot package:
- Find alternative reliable delivery methods to ensure your mail-in ballot reaches me before polls close at 8:00 PM on election day
- You may also Vote in person by either:
- Bringing your unused mail-in ballot to surrender at the polling station, or
- Providing a sworn affidavit at the polling station stating you lost your mail-in ballot
If you do NOT receive a mail-in ballot package after having requested one:
- Come vote in person:
- Election day on November 29, 2024 at the Musqueam Community Centre Gym from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Unfortunately, any mail-in ballots received after polls close must be voided under the Act. I have no discretion in this matter. I remain committed to ensuring every eligible elector has the opportunity to vote within the requirements of the law.
Dated this 18th day of November 2024. Jolene Irons-McDivitt, Electoral Officer
For more information, please contact the Electoral Officer at OneFeather:
Email: [email protected]
Toll Free: 1-855-923-3006
Phone support is available weekdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Pacific Time
209-852 Fort Street, Victoria, B.C., V8W 1H8
www.onefeather.ca/nations/musqueam
Reimbursement for courier cost
Electors who courier their mail-in ballot packages can submit their receipt for reimbursement.
Send a photo or scan of your receipt to:
Jay Gill, CFO
[email protected]
Write in the subject line: “Election 2024 courier reimbursement”
If you are unable to email your receipt, please contact Jay Gill by calling the band office (604-263-3261) and asking to speak with Jay.
Jay will confirm with OneFeather that a mail-in ballot package was sent to you prior to issuing reimbursement.
How to request a mail-in ballot package
To vote by mail, electors MUST submit a Mail-In Ballot Request form and copy of ID to the Electoral Officer at OneFeather by Friday, November 22, 2024.
A mail-in ballot will NOT automatically be sent to you.
Electors are responsible for requesting their mail-in ballot in a timely manner so it can be received, completed, sent back, and received by OneFeather before the close of poll on November 29 at 8pm..
Submit request form by email or mail to:
Attention Electoral Officer, OneFeather
Email: [email protected]
209-852 Fort Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 1H8
Find out more about the election
- OneFeather Musqueam Election Webpage
- Visit the OneFeather webpage for all election notices and forms
- List of candidates for chief and councillors
- Notice of 2024 General Election
