5 things you need to know this morning: Sept. 23, 2021

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Canada’s federal election sees historically low voter turnout

Preliminary data from Elections Canada shows that Canadians voted at a historically low rate in the 2021 federal election. Current numbers show the voter turnout at 59 per cent, the lowest rate in more than a decade. That number will increase a bit as Elections Canada verifies roughly one-million mail-in ballots and counts ballots by those who were not registered when they showed up at polling stations. The turnout in the 2015 and 2019 elections was over 67 per cent each time.

Voters turned up at the ballot box at the lowest rate in more than a decade to participate in #elxn44vote, according to preliminary data from Elections Canada.

Across the country, turnout was at least 59 per cent. https://t.co/hriOp2b8ke

— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) September 22, 2021

2. Unvaccinated Red Wings player to miss games in Canada, lose $400,000 in salary

GM Steve Yzerman announced Wednesday that Tyler Bertuzzi is the only unvaccinated player on the Detroit Red Wings. As a result, Bertuzzi will miss games in Canada and forfeit around $400,000 of his salary for doing so. The decision to not be vaccinated will be even costlier for Edmonton Oilers’ forward Josh Archibald, who will need to miss about 30 games due to Canada-US border restrictions.

NHLer Tyler Bertuzzi is only unvaccinated Detroit Red Wings player, will miss games in Canada https://t.co/RiWMMvlvgb pic.twitter.com/LFcz25yOUc

— CTV News (@CTVNews) September 23, 2021

3. Mayor of Kabul, a former American citizen, continues to run city under Taliban’s watch

The Taliban have returned to power in Kabul, but that doesn’t mean Daoud Sultanzoy isn’t serving as the city’s mayor. The former American citizen and United Airlines pilot, who returned to his native Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, still shows up at work every morning, the only one dressed in a suit, to co-manage the Afghan capital with a Taliban appointee.

A day after the fall of Kabul the Taliban contacted the capital’s mayor to tell him they guaranteed his security. Now, he’s back at his desk. https://t.co/lU7cx4js1U

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) September 22, 2021

4. Blue Jays working with Ontario government to increase capacity at Rogers Centre

The Toronto Blue Jays are in the middle of a playoff hunt and their return to Rogers Centre has been a big factor in their recent success. Even with a limit of 15,000 fans, the support has clearly boosted the team down the stretch. Now, the Blue Jays say they’re working with the Ontario government to try and increase that capacity for the final week of the season and playoffs.

Blue Jays Statement Regarding Final Homestand:

Additional tickets available now - https://t.co/1L6qzdmNeW pic.twitter.com/PYPE9oyBAz

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 23, 2021

5. UN General Assembly continues in New York

Hundreds of heads of state are in New York City this week at the UN headquarters for the annual General Assembly. After going virtual in 2020, many leaders are delivering in-person speeches at this year’s summit. Vaccinations for COVID-19, climate change and the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan are some of the main topics on this year’s dockett.

Looking to catch up on what's been happening at #UNGA?@UNdispatch has got you covered.
Featuring leaders, global experts, and notable voices, this special #UNGA76 podcast series is bringing you daily highlights.

Subscribe → https://t.co/8rJOFUbFIJ pic.twitter.com/LYfv6IjOvs

— United Nations Foundation (@unfoundation) September 23, 2021

_{Thumbnail photo courtesy of Getty Images.}