In brief
Canadians are gearing up to cast their votes on April 28 in a significant federal election that will determine the nation's leadership, as Prime Minister Mark Carney of the Liberal Party faces off against Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Here’s a rundown of what to expect from the electoral process and who is eligible to vote.
All Canadian citizens, including those incarcerated or living abroad, have the right to vote, with one notable exception. The chief electoral officer, tasked with overseeing the election, is prohibited from voting during their decade-long tenure. By tradition, the governor general, representing the monarch in Canada, also refrains from voting to maintain political neutrality.Voters will focus on electing their representative to the House of Commons, which is increasing in size to 342 members due to population growth. The election employs a "first past the post" voting system, meaning the candidate with the most votes wins their seat, even without a majority. Most voters should have received a card detailing their polling locations and the dates for early voting, which begins on Friday. For those who have misplaced their cards or experienced errors, Elections Canada, the nonpartisan agency managing the election, provides online assistance. With anticipation building, Canadians are set to make their voices heard in what promises to be a pivotal electoral showdown.
