Ontario shifts elections for Orthodox

The Canadian Jewish Congress praised the Ontario government for shifting an upcoming provincial election so that it doesn’t fall on a Jewish holiday. The government switched the election from Oct. 4 to Oct. 10 after learning that Oct. 4 was Shemini Atzeret. The province’s Election Act allows for a scheduled voting day to be shifted if necessary, CJC Ontario Chairman Joel Richler said. “The legislation has worked precisely as it was intended,” he said. “We asked the government of Ontario to reflect upon the diversity of the Ontario electorate and to make use of the options provided by the Election Act. It is to their credit that they have done so.” Marie Bountrogianni, provincial minister of intergovernmental affairs, agreed. “Our fixed election date framework was designed with the flexibility to accommodate our cultural and religious diversity,” she said.