Canada's 2025 Election: Voter Turnout and Polls

With polls synchronizing nationwide closures amid increased participation, Canadians showcase heightened political interest leading into the 2025 elections.

As the clock ticks down on April 28, 2025, the electoral landscape across Canada is buzzing with activity as millions prepare to cast their votes. Polling stations across the country opened sequentially, starting from the Atlantic province of Newfoundland and Labrador at 8:30 a.m. local time, which corresponds to 7 a.m. Eastern Time.

With Ontario and Quebec, the country's most populous regions, voting from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and British Columbia wrapping up a half-hour later at 10 p.m. Eastern, the synchronized closure of polls is tailored to ensure smooth operations nationwide. According to Elections Canada, approximately 7.3 million Canadians participated in early voting from April 18 to April 21, marking a substantial 25 percent increase from early turnout recorded during the 2021 elections.

This surge in early voting reflects a notable spike in civic engagement, with many Canadians eager to influence the future direction of their nation as they head to the ballot boxes. Ian Austen, reporting from Ottawa for The Times, encapsulates the sentiment across the nation as voters prepare to weigh in on the pressing issues at stake in this pivotal election, including climate change and other critical topics that may shape Canada’s political landscape for years to come.