UPDATED SEPTEMBER 28, 2020: The original tender has been amended with a rejection on calls to extend the delivery date on the voting pencils.

In an updated call for “Golf type format, without eraser and sharpened,” potential suppliers requested a one- or two-week extension on the date of delivery. Here is the rejection given by Elections Canada:

Due to critical operational requirements the bid closing date as well as the delivery date cannot be extended. A sample is required with the bid to save time on production because this requirement is very urgent.

Two large tender notices posted September 17 to the federal government’s contracts and procurements website hint at an early election call by next spring.

The first tender posted to BuyAndSell.gc.ca with a closing date of October 1, 2020 asks for 16 million “large pencils for voting” for Elections Canada.

The terms of delivery of the pencils, according to the proposal, indicate that Elections Cananda must receive:

“By December 15, 2020, at least 20% of the total awarded quantity. By January 29, 2021, at least 50% of the total awarded quantity; Remaining balance, on or before, but no later than February 26, 2021. The entire production must be delivered by the mandatory delivery date of February 26, 2021.”

The second tender, posted to the same website, with an identical closing date of October 1, 2020, is for smaller “pencils for voting” in “Golf type format, without eraser and sharpened,” and also has same staggered delivery requirements for incremental completion by February 26, 2021.

According to September 2 2020, Angus Reid polling, “Liberal and Conservative Parties of Canada are in a tie, with 35 per cent of decided voters each indicating they’d cast a ballot either for the incumbents or the official opposition”

That same poll had Trudeau’s approval rating at 45 per cent.

The speech from the throne is set for Wednesday, September 23.