Canada Election 2025 explained: Who is running, who can vote, what to see and why it matters

Canadians will come to elections on April 28 to choose the next government of the country. The vote will determine that Liberal Party, now under the leadership Prime Minister Mark CarneyWhether in power or if Conservative, Pierre Pilevare, will return to the office after almost a decade in protest.
Here your whole guide is how the election works, who is voting, and what happens next.

Who can vote?

On the election day, every Canadian citizens aged 18 or older are eligible to vote, including prisoners and Canadians living abroad. The only exception is the Chief Electoral Officer, which is stopped from voting during his 10 -year tenure. Additionally, in view of the tradition, the Governor General does not vote to preserve the neutrality of the king’s representative – the role in the General -Kanada.

What are the voters deciding?

Voters will select a member of Parliament (MP) to represent their local ride at the House of Commons. There will be 343 seats for the tombs – more five seats than the previous election, showing population growth.
Canada uses a “first past post” system: the candidate wins the seat with most votes in each ride, even if they do not get majority.
This election is only for the federal parliament – there will be no referendum or votes for other offices.

Who becomes the Prime Minister?

Canadians do not elect the Prime Minister directly. The party that wins the most seats – whether majority or plurality – usually forms a government.
Its leader becomes the Prime Minister, under the formal invitation of the Governor General.
Currently, Mark Carney, who recently succeeded Justin Trudeau as Liberal Leader, is running in his first election, trying to represent a middle class Ottawa suburb.

Parties in running

Three major parties are fielding nationwide candidates:

The NDP has never formed a federal government, and elections suggest that its current support is at a 25 -year low. Block Qubecis is also contesting seats, but only in Quebec.

Prominent candidates and their policies

Liberal leader Mark Carney highlighted his economic crisis management experience, promising strong leadership against Trump but gave limited policy details.
Conservative Pierre Pilevre pushed hard–over-prodigied measures, vowed to define English CBCs, preserving French services, and called for rapid pipeline approval to reduce American dependence.
NDP’s Jagmeet Singh emphasized social justice and strength, while Block Quebecois leader Yaves-French Blanchet opposed new pipelines and made Quebec’s freedom champions.

When will the results be known?

Canada is spread over six time areas, but the voting hours are closest to ET at 9.30 am. The British Columbia is final for closure at ET at 10 am.
Valid papers are paper-based and are counted by hand at each polling station, which includes no machine. Election Canada publishes online results in real time as they are reported from each ride.
After verification, special ballot papers of mail voters, military, prisoners and foreign Canadians are counted after the election day.

What if a party does not win a majority?

While Canada rarely forms European -style alliances, minority governments are common. They usually rely on informal deals with other parties to pass the law. If they lose a belief vote – often tied to a budget – they can be brought down, another choice can be triggered.
For example, in 1979, a minority progressive conservative government collapsed after just 66 days.
In the final Parliament, the NDP supported liberals in exchange for some policy concessions, but did not join the government.

How to vote?

Most voters will receive a voter information card in the mail, which lists options for their polling place and advance voting, which lasts for four days starting on Friday. But the card is not necessary – voters can still enter a ballot with the appropriate ID.
Voters away from home can apply for a mail-in ballot till Tuesday, April 22. These ballot papers can come to Canada in Ottawa till 6 pm on 28 April.
Voting options include:

This federal election comes in a significant moment in Canadian politics, which is the stunning exit of Justin Trudeau after nearly a decade in power. His departure has triggered a wave of uncertainty and infection within the Liberal party, now starred by Mark Carney, a political newcomer but an experienced economist.
Beyond the party rivals, this election will shape the Canadian course on important issues such as immigration, climate policy, economic flexibility and global diplomacy. One of the major foreign policy challenges will manage relations with the US under Donald Trump, who has made stimulating comments about converting Canada into a “51st American state” and igniting tariff controversies.
The result will also affect Canada’s stressful relations with India, which the Canada has accused Indian agents of involvement in the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijar. India has strongly denied any role in the event, the allegations have been baseless and politically motivated.