A record 7.3 million Canadians voted in advance polls (2025)

Elections Canada previously reported more than 2 million voted on Good Friday alone

Author of the article:

By Catherine Lévesque

Published Apr 22, 2025

Last updated 15hours ago

2 minute read

Join the conversation

A record 7.3 million Canadians voted in advance polls (1)

Article content

OTTAWA — The Easter long weekend saw a record 7.3 million Canadians vote in advance polls, according to preliminary data from Elections Canada.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
Unlimited online access to National Post.
National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
Unlimited online access to National Post.
National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Sign In or Create an Account

View more offers

Article content

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

A record 7.3 million Canadians voted in advance polls Back to video

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Article content

That is a 25 per cent increase from the 5.8 million voters who voted early in the 2021 general election, said the agency responsible for handling elections. The new number is, however, only an estimate, as some polls may not have been reported yet, it said.

Article content

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Advance polls were open Friday to Monday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m, coinciding with most Canadians having at least a three-day weekend.

Article content

First Reading

Your guide to the world of Canadian politics. (Subscriber exclusive on Saturdays)

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

Article content

Elections Canada had previously reported a record turnout of more than two million Canadians voting on Friday alone, which was an increase of 36 per cent over the corresponding figures for the first day of advance polls in the 2021 election.

Article content

Reacting to the news, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said it is “really exciting” that more people are voting early and said he wants to see an even bigger turnout on election day.

Article content

Singh made a pitch to voters in British Columbia — where he has spent the last few days in an attempt to save half his incumbent seats — to send more NDP MPs to Ottawa.

Article content

He also reiterated his call to hold the balance of power to a re-elected Liberal government.

Article content

“You have the power to determine whether (Liberal Leader) Mark Carney will have all the power, or whether there’ll be New Democrats who are there in strong numbers to fight, to defend what you care about,” Singh said during a press conference in Vancouver.

Article content

Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said those early voters either already knew which party they wanted to vote for or wanted to vote to get it “out of the way.”

Article content

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

“It may be a bit of both with a ratio that we cannot define,” he said while in Quebec City.

Article content

Given the record turnout, Blanchet said it might be worth taking note in future elections that voters like to have the option to cast their ballot over a period of several days.

Article content

Elections Canada is set to publish a breakdown of the estimated number of people who voted at the advance polls for all 343 electoral districts by the end of the week.

Article content

The federal election will take place Monday, April 28.

Article content

National Post
calevesque@postmedia.com

A record 7.3 million Canadians voted in advance polls (2025)

Sign In or Create an Account

References