Millions of Canadians are casting their ballots today in a closely watched federal election that could reshape the country’s political landscape. With Prime Minister Mark Carney seeking a renewed mandate and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre mounting a formidable challenge, voters are deciding on a future path as tensions with the United States and domestic economic concerns dominate the campaign.
The results, expected late tonight or early Tuesday, will determine whether Carney’s Liberal Party maintains power, potentially with a majority, or whether Canada enters a period of political uncertainty with a minority government.
The election has unfolded against the backdrop of heightened U.S.-Canada tensions, largely driven by the rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s threats of imposing tariffs on Canadian goods and his provocative suggestion that Canada should become the “51st state” have fueled nationalist sentiment across the border.
“Donald Trump is the ghost hanging over this election,” Tom Urbaniak, a political science professor at Cape Breton University previously told Newsweek. His remarks have sharpened public anxieties and bolstered support for Carney’s Liberals, who are seen as less aligned with Trump than their Conservative rivals.
Liberal Leader Mark Carney makes a campaign stop in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Sunday, April 27, 2025. Liberal Leader Mark Carney makes a campaign stop in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Sunday, April 27, 2025. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP
Polls indicate the Liberals hold a commanding lead, though a landslide victory appears unlikely. CBC News’ projection model gives the Liberals a 74 percent chance of forming a majority government, with projections showing around 190 seats—just above the 172 needed for a majority in the 343-seat House of Commons.
“I am not expecting a Liberal landslide, but a Liberal majority of seats is possible,” Urbaniak said. If the Liberals fall short of a majority, they may need to rely on the Bloc Québécois to govern, which could prove unstable over time.
When Will Results Be Announced?
Polls across Canada are open today, with staggered closing times reflecting the country’s multiple time zones. The first polls close at 6:30 p.m. EST in Newfoundland and Labrador, while the final polls close at 9:30 p.m. EST in British Columbia. The largest portion of the electorate, including key battlegrounds Ontario and Quebec, will see polls close at 8:30 p.m. EST.
Preliminary results are expected to start trickling in late Monday night, with major networks like CBC and CTV providing projections based on initial tallies from Elections Canada. However, the full picture may not be clear until early Tuesday morning, especially if the race between the Liberals and Conservatives is closer than anticipated.
Ballots in Canada’s federal elections are counted manually at each polling station after the polls close. Early votes, which set a record this year with more than seven million ballots cast in advance, are counted at local Elections Canada offices and may begin being tabulated an hour before polls close, depending on the volume. Mail-in ballots and votes from military bases can take longer to process, though officials expect most ballots to be counted on election night.
How to Watch the Election Results Live
For official updates on Canada’s federal election results, one source is Elections Canada, the independent, non-partisan agency that administers federal elections. The agency posts verified results on its website after polls close, updating as ballots are counted and validated.
Where to Watch:
- Elections Canada Website:
- Preliminary results will be available on the Elections Canada results page as vote counts come in from across the country. Updates continue until the count is complete, with final validations typically occurring within two to three days after election day.
- Voter Information Service:
- The Voter Information Service offers detailed tracking by electoral district, showing candidates and vote totals as they are reported.
- Elections Canada Social Media:
- Key updates and announcements will be shared via Elections Canada’s official social media accounts on platforms like Twitter/X and Facebook throughout the evening and following days.
For live television coverage and analysis, many major broadcasters across America and Canada will provide special election programming as polls close, offering real-time vote counts, expert commentary, and projections based on incoming results.
The final outcome will be closely watched, not just in Canada but internationally, as the results will shape the country’s political direction amid a turbulent North American geopolitical climate.
