Canada Elections 2025: Pierre Poilievre Casts Vote, Asks Trump To 'Stay Out'; Elections Canada Advise Voters To Avoid Peak Timings

A total of 28 million registered voters are set to cast their ballots across the country. Ahead of the general polls, Elections Canada carried out four days of early voting. As per official government data, around 7.3 million ballots were cast during Easter weekend, setting a new record for Canadian elections.

The Canadian federal election is administered on a national level by Elections Canada, an independent, nonpartisan government agency.

Any Canadian citizen who will be at least 18 years old on election day may vote in the federal election. This includes Canadians who live outside the country, as well as those who are incarcerated. The chief electoral officer, the government official responsible for running the election, may not vote.

The Canadian voters will elect their local representative to the House of Commons. No other contests will appear on the ballot. The voters do not directly cast ballots for the Prime Minister.

All ballots are counted by hand by federal election officials in the presence of witnesses, usually campaign or party representatives. Additional details of how votes are counted depend on how the ballots were cast.

Ballots cast in person on election day are counted at each local polling place after polls close. Ballots cast in person before election day and mail ballots cast from within the district are tabulated at the district's local Elections Canada office.

Ballots from incarcerated voters, members of the military, Canadians living overseas and voters who live in Canada but outside their home district (such as some college students) are counted at a centralized Elections Canada facility in Ottawa.

In some cases, the counting of these ballots may begin up to 14 days before election day, although the results cannot be released until after polls close.

Mark Carney has had a distinguished career - his latest victory being the rescue of Canada바카라™s Liberal Party amid plummeting public support and escalations with the U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly claimed Canada as America바카라™s 51st state.

60-year old Carney darted in - first securing 85.9% for Liberal Party바카라™s leadership after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau바카라™s resignation, then being elected as the Prime Minister of Canada on March 14. At his swearing-in ceremony, he delivered the downstairs neighbour a solemn rejection, declaring amidst a cacophony of slogans that Canada, 바카라œwill never, ever, in any way, shape or form, be part of the United States."

Read more about the incumbent prime minister here.

Canada is spread out into six time zones. Across these zones, the polls are set to open from 7 AM onwards and close around 10 PM. The timings for voting in each time zone are given below -

• Newfoundland Time - 8:30 am to 8:30 pm local time

• Atlantic Time - 8:30 am to 8:30 pm local time

• Eastern Time - 9:30 am to 9:30 pm local time

• Central Time - 8:30 am to 8:30 pm local time

• Mountain Time - 7:30 am to 7:30 pm local time

• Pacific Time - 7 am to 7 pm local time

Canadians head to the polls today in an election shaped by economic and geopolitical pressures. Donald Trump's renewed tariffs have triggered a trade war with the country바카라™s largest trading partner. The cost of living has risen faster than wages for the third consecutive year.

Wildfires across Alberta and British Columbia have laid bare the country's vulnerabilities to climate change.

Against this backdrop, voters are choosing between starkly different proposals on how to defend Canada's economic sovereignty, rebuild social protections, and navigate a new era of global uncertainty.

From immigration to an ongoing housing crisis and Trump's tariff threats, here is a look at the key issues shaping the Canadian federal polls.

As per opinion polls, the Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, have a five-point lead over the Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre.

As per the latest polls, Carney's Liberals are in the lead with 42.7 percent of support. Pierre Poilievre lags behind at 38.3 percent of the vote and NDP's Jagmeet Singh stands at 8.4 percent.

Three major parties are fielding candidates nationwide:

Liberal Party of Canada

Founded in 1867, the Liberal Party is Canada바카라™s oldest active political party. It traditionally occupies the centre to centre-left on the political spectrum, advocating for social liberalism, multiculturalism, and a mixed economy.

Key figures like Wilfrid Laurier, Pierre Trudeau, and Jean Chrétien shaped Canada's identity through progressive policies and nation-building efforts. The Liberals dominated much of the 20th century, earning the nickname "Canada's natural governing party." Since 2015, Justin Trudeau has led the party, promoting issues like climate action, social equity, and Indigenous reconciliation. The Liberals balance progressive social policies with generally moderate economic strategies to appeal broadly.

Conservative Party of Canada

The current Conservative Party was founded in 2003 from the merger of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative Party. It represents the centre-right to right-wing, emphasising fiscal conservatism, lower taxes, strong national defense, and traditional values. Historic conservative roots trace back to John A. Macdonald바카라™s original party at Confederation. Leaders like Stephen Harper brought modern successes, forming government from 2006 to 2015.

Along with Liberals and Conservatives, parties such as NDP, Green Party and Bloc Québécois.

Canada was initially set to vote in October 2025. However, due to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation in January, the liberal leader called for a snap poll.

This resignation came in light of growing dissatisfaction with the Trudeau administration and infighting. The downgrading of ties with India due to the Khalistan movement and Donald Trump's growing tariff threats made Trudeau more vulnerable to criticism from the public and his own party members.

Following Trudeau's resignation, Mark Carney was named as the interim prime minister. Nine days as PM, Carney called for a snap vote.

Canada is all set to begin voting shortly. As per the datat from Elections Canada, the polls are said to open from 7 AM onwards. However, Canada has six different time zones. Here are the poll timings based on each time zone -

• Newfoundland Time - 8:30 am to 8:30 pm local time

• Atlantic Time - 8:30 am to 8:30 pm local time

• Eastern Time - 9:30 am to 9:30 pm local time

• Central Time - 8:30 am to 8:30 pm local time

• Mountain Time - 7:30 am to 7:30 pm local time

• Pacific Time - 7 am to 7 pm local time

The Liberals are projected to win around 189 seats and have a 70% chance of securing a majority government. While their likely range dips below the 172-seat threshold needed for a majority, it also extends to just over 200 seats.

The Conservatives have only an 11% chance of winning the most seats, an outcome that would likely be the product of a significant error in the polls.

The Bloc is likely to lose some seats, while the New Democrats are in danger of failing to win the 12 seats required for recognized party status in the House of Commons.

- CBC

Polling stations in Newfoundland have now opened, allowing voters to cast their ballots in-person.

The results of the Canada polls will be published in real time on the official website of the Canadian government.

The first polls to open in Canada were in Newfoundland and parts of Labrador.

According to BBC, there are seven ridings in the country's most eastern province, with each corresponding to a seat in the House of Commons.

They are: Avalon, Cape Spear, Central Newfoundland, Labrador, Long Range Mountains, St John's East, and Terra Nova - The Peninsulas.

In January 2025, the provincial government recorded a population count of 545,579.

As that population - of voting age - cast their ballots, stay with us to follow the polls opening across the country.

The provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and the rest of Labrador have opened across Canada as the local time strikes 08:30 am.

All ballots are counted by hand by federal election officials in the presence of witnesses, usually campaign or party representatives. Additional details of how votes are counted depend on how the ballots were cast.

Ballots cast in person on election day are counted at each local polling place after polls close. Ballots cast in person before election day and mail ballots cast from within the district are tabulated at the district's local Elections Canada office.

Ballots from incarcerated voters, members of the military, Canadians living overseas and voters who live in Canada but outside their home district (such as some college students) are counted at a centralized Elections Canada facility in Ottawa.

In some cases, the counting of these ballots may begin up to 14 days before election day, although the results cannot be released until after polls close.

Any Canadian citizen who will be at least 18 years old on election day may vote in the federal election. This includes Canadians who live outside the country, as well as those who are incarcerated. The chief electoral officer, the government official responsible for running the election, may not vote.

Prince Edward Island - four seats

New Brunswick - ten seats

Nova Scotia - eleven seats

Newfoundland - seven seats

Labrador - seven seats

Trudeau helmed the Canadian government for nearly a decade, becoming a prominent figure both domestically and internationally.

But in January, trailing in the polls and facing anger over the rising cost of living, he announced that he would step down as Liberal Party leader.

Trudeau had also faced dissent from within his own party, including the resignation of former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who criticised what she saw as a lack of a plan for dealing with the threat of US tariffs.

- Al Jazeera

Key Candidates

Mark Carney

Mark Carney, 60, is the current prime minister of Canada, having taken office only a few weeks ago. In early March, the Liberal Party overwhelmingly elected him as leader with over 85% support, following Justin Trudeau바카라™s resignation.

Carney is a well-known figure in both Canada and the United Kingdom, having served as governor of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 financial crisis and later leading the Bank of England through the Brexit period. Born in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, he is the first Canadian prime minister from the North. He later grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, before attending Harvard University.

Pierre Poilievre (Conservative Party)

Pierre Poilievre, Conservative leader since 2022, positions himself as the candidate of "common sense" and economic freedom. A long-time Ottawa MP, he is known for sharp rhetoric, criticising government overspending, carbon taxes, and housing unaffordability. Poilievre바카라™s populist style resonates particularly with younger voters concerned about affordability and personal freedoms. He promotes cutting red tape, boosting energy production, and reforming the Bank of Canada.

While beloved by the Conservative base, his outspoken style sometimes polarises broader audiences. Nevertheless, he바카라™s energised the right-leaning electorate, making the Conservatives serious contenders to win the 2025 election and form a government.

Jagmeet Singh (New Democratic Party - NDP)

Jagmeet Singh, leader of the NDP since 2017, is the first racialized person to lead a major Canadian federal party. A former Ontario MPP and lawyer, Singh champions affordability, workers' rights, climate action, and racial justice.

Though the NDP hasn't won federal power under his leadership, Singh has played a critical role propping up Trudeau바카라™s minority governments in exchange for policy wins like dental care expansion and pharmacare progress. Charismatic, stylish, and socially media-savvy, Singh appeals to younger and progressive voters. In 2025, he aims to grow NDP influence further, hoping to expand beyond traditional urban and labour strongholds.

• Newfoundland Time: 8:30am 바카라“ 8:30pm (11:00 바카라“ 23:00 GMT)

• Atlantic Time: 8:30am 바카라“ 8:30pm (11:30 바카라“ 23:30 GMT)

• Eastern Time: 9:30am 바카라“ 9:30pm (13:30 바카라“ 01:30 GMT)

• Central Time*: 8:30am 바카라“ 8:30pm (13:30 바카라“ 01:30 GMT)

• Mountain Time*: 7:30am 바카라“ 7:30pm (13:30 바카라“ 01:30 GMT)

• Pacific Time: 7:00am 바카라“ 7:00pm (14:00 바카라“ 02:00 GMT)

Polls have just opened in a third group of areas, spanning several provinces across three of those time zones.

Ontario - 122 seats

Quebec - 78 seats

Manitoba - 14 seats

Saskatchewan - 14 seats

British Columbia - 43 seats

Nunavut - voting is taking place for one person to represent the territory that has a population of about 40,000 people.

According to reports, polls are open in all polling stations across Canada.

Liberal leader Mark Carney tells Canadians that Canada decides "what happens here", in what appears to be a reference to President Trump, who repeated his calls for Canada to become the 51st US state in a post on Truth Social earlier today.

In a video posted on X, Carney tells the public to choose to be "united and strong" against the "crisis in the United States," which he says doesn바카라™t stop at Canadian borders.

He says the US can "become divided and weak, but this is Canada".

Conservative Party candidate Pierre Poilievre says, 바카라œIt바카라™s simple: No vote, no change."

바카라œBring friends, family and coworkers out to VOTE for Change. Vote Conservative," he added.

Despite the significance of the day, most educational institutions, including schools and colleges, remain open across the country.

Similarly, Canada Post offices and major banking institutions continue their operations as usual on Monday, April 28.

Under the Canada Elections Act, employees are entitled to three consecutive hours off work to vote, though the timing is left to the discretion of the employer.

- Economic Times

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre casts his vote in Ottawa where he is MP for Carleton. He was accompanied to the polling station by his wife Anaida.

Poilievre has been representing Carleton since 2004.

In Chambly, Quebec, Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-François Blanchet has cast his vote in today's election.

He heads the Quebec-sovereigntist party that only runs candidates in the French-speaking province.

The 60-year-old became leader of the Bloc in 2019, but first got involved in politics in the 1980s as a member of the youth committee of the provincial Parti Québécois.

Elections Canada says avoiding peak times 바카라“ early in the morning and after 4pm 바카라“ is the best way to vote without waiting in line at polling stations.

The least busy time at the polls is between noon and 4pm, according to a graphic shared by the agency.

• The first polls opened at 07:00 EDT (12:00 BST) in Newfoundland and parts of Labrador earlier today. They will close at 19:00 EDT (00:00 BST)

• The next to follow were the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and the rest of Labrador. Polls here will close at 19:30 EDT (00:30 BST)

• Polls in Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and bits of British Columbia opened at 09:30 EDT (14:30 BST). Voters can cast their ballot until 21:30 EDT (02:30 BST)

• And finally, the rest of British Columbia and Yukon opened at 10:00 EDT (15:00 BST) for voting. These polls will close at 22:00 EDT (03:00 BST)

- BBC

Fire broke out at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario and caused significant disruption to voting on Canada's election day, according to CTV News.

The fire erupted at the roof of the building and after the emergency services were called, they evacuated everyone inside.

Elections Canada was forced to relocate the polling station for the Windsor--Tecumseh--Lakeshore riding to St. Joseph바카라™s Catholic High School nearby.

Firefighters confirmed the fire was under control by 11 a.m., and an investigation into the cause is underway.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Canada cannot vote for the ten years of their term. Currently the post is filled by Stéphane Perrault since 2018 and he will only be eligible to vote after his term ends.

Another person who is not legally ineligible to vote, but chooses not to, is Canada바카라™s Governor General Mary Simon.

Simon is King Charles바카라™s ceremonial representative in Canada and governor generals have traditionally abstained from the polls to maintain their political neutrality.

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre in a strongly worded message aimed at US President Donald Trump wrote, "President Trump, stay out of our election. The only people who will decide the future of Canada are Canadians at the ballot box. Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will NEVER be the 51st state," on the morning of the elections.

He added, "Today Canadians can vote for change so we can strengthen our country, stand on our own two feet and stand up to America from a position of strength."

Trump made a comment about the Canadian federal election with a post on his social media site Truth Social, which began: "Good luck to the Great people of Canada." 

He continued to say, "Elect the man who has the strength and wisdom to cut your taxes in half, increase your military power, for free, to the highest level in the World, have your Car, Steel, Aluminum, Lumber, Energy, and all other businesses, QUADRUPLE in size, WITH ZERO TARIFFS OR TAXES, if Canada becomes the cherished 51st. State of the United States of America."

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre's post on X came few hours after this.