On April 28, 2025, Canadians will cast their ballots in a pivotal federal election to determine the country’s next government. The contest pits the incumbent Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, against the Conservative Party, under Pierre Poilievre, which seeks to reclaim power after nearly a decade in opposition. With 343 seats in the House of Commons at stake, the outcome will shape Canada’s political and economic future amid pressing global challenges.
Who Votes and What’s at Stake?
All Canadian citizens, including those living abroad and prisoners, are eligible to vote, except the chief electoral officer, who remains neutral during their 10-year term. The governor general, representing King Charles as head of state, traditionally abstains to maintain political impartiality. Voters will select their local Member of Parliament (MP) in a “first past the post” system, where the candidate with the most votes in each riding wins, even without a majority. The party with the most seats typically forms the government, with its leader becoming prime minister.
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Key Issues Dominating the Campaign
The election has been overshadowed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian exports and his provocative calls to annex Canada as the 51st state. Many voters see the election as a referendum on which leader—Carney or Poilievre—can best navigate these threats and mitigate economic fallout. Polls suggest Carney’s global finance experience has bolstered Liberal support, erasing the Conservatives’ earlier lead. Inflation, soaring grocery and housing costs, and promises of tax cuts and increased military spending are also central, while climate change and Indigenous issues have taken a backseat.
Voting Process
Elections Canada has mailed voter cards indicating polling stations and advance voting locations, available from April 18 to 21. Over 7.3 million Canadians voted early, a 25% increase from 2021. Mail-in ballots, for those abroad or unable to vote in person, must reach Ottawa by 6 p.m. ET on April 28. Paper ballots are hand-counted at polling stations, ensuring transparency, with results reported to Elections Canada’s headquarters and released online.
The Leaders
Mark Carney, 60, a former central banker, became Liberal leader and prime minister in March 2025, succeeding Justin Trudeau. He’s running in an Ottawa suburb in his first election. Pierre Poilievre, 45, a seasoned politician, has built a strong Conservative brand with a focus on economic issues. Other parties, including the New Democrats (Jagmeet Singh), Bloc Québécois (Yves-François Blanchet), and the Green Party, are running but lack the support to form a government.
When Will Canada’s 2025 Election Results Be Announced?
Canadians voting in the federal election on April 28, 2025, can expect results to start rolling in on election night, with the process designed for efficiency and transparency. Canada spans six time zones, but polling stations are synchronized to close at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time across most regions. British Columbia, the westernmost province, closes slightly later at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The first results are likely to emerge shortly after polls close, with the broad outcome typically clear by the evening of April 28.
Canada’s electoral system relies on paper ballots, hand-counted at each polling station by Elections Canada staff. To ensure fairness, candidates may appoint representatives to monitor the counting process. Unlike some countries, Canada does not use counting machines, and ballot boxes remain at polling stations rather than being transported to central locations. This allows initial results to be reported quickly to Elections Canada’s headquarters in Ottawa, where they are immediately published online.
While most votes are tallied on election night, special ballots—used by mail-in voters, prisoners, Canadians abroad, and military members—are counted after April 28 to verify that no one voted in person. The full count may extend beyond the initial announcement, but it rarely delays the overall result.
What Happens If No Party Wins a Majority?
If no party secures a majority of the 343 seats in the House of Commons, Canada may see a minority government, a common outcome in its history. These governments, formed by the party with the most seats, rely on informal support from other parties to pass laws. However, they are vulnerable to collapse if they lose a confidence vote or fail to pass key legislation, such as tax or spending bills. Unlike European-style coalition governments, formal coalitions are rare in Canada, with the notable exception of a World War I-era coalition to address conscription disputes.
As Canadians await the results, the possibility of a hung parliament adds intrigue to an already high-stakes election.
