Handful of votes separate candidates in Sault Ste. Marie as vote count continues
The federal election Monday night still has some drama for voters in Sault Ste. Marie.
While six of northern Ontario's seven federal ridings stayed the same colour, incumbent Terry Sheehan of the Liberals and Sonny Spina of the conservatives are separated by a slim margin.
As of early Tuesday evening, 183 of 184 polls have been counted. Sheehan is still ahead, leading by 55 votes. But with the race so close, no winner will be declared until more than 2,000 mail-in ballots are counted Wednesday.
Speaking at his campaign headquarters late Monday night, Sheehan said he wasn't surprised the race is so close.
"We didn't run any polls but with 24 years of experience, I could just see that it would be tight," he said.
Sheehan said it'll be a nervous few days, as he takes time to reassess his campaign.
"We're going to soak it all in and continue to just sort of, take a look at everything and see what goes next," he said.
Elections Canada said mail-in ballots in particular will take extra time to count. Officials said all the ballots must be verified before they can open them.
"Just the verification of 500 ballots will take three to four hours and then, and only then, will you open the little envelope," said Rejean Grenier of Elections Canada.
Grenier said Wednesday is the earlier the result will be known, but it could take even longer.
"No results for sure until Wednesday, in some cases -- we're hoping not too many -- but in some cases, it might be Thursday," he said.
Conservative candidate Sonny Spina declined to comment, saying he's taking time to rest and reflect with his family on the campaign.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
BREAKING 6 injured in Sharbot Lake, Ont. crash; 2 in life-threatening condition
Ontario Provincial Police say six people have suffered severe injuries in a single-vehicle crash in Sharbot Lake, Ont, including two in life-threatening condition.