Key Dates for Canada’s Federal Election

People line up outside a polling station in Toronto to vote in Canada's federal election on Sept. 20, 2021. Mark Blinch/Reuters

Canadians will be heading to the polls on April 28, six months ahead of the predetermined federal election date.

The snap election was called by Liberal Leader Mark Carney as prime minister on March 23, just nine days after being sworn into office.

Here is everything voters need to know to be ready to cast their vote in the country’s 45th federal election.

Candidate Nomination Deadline

The cutoff date for political parties to submit their candidate nominations, as well as for independent candidates to declare their candidacy, is April 7 at 2 p.m.

Voter Registration

Individuals wishing to vote can complete their online registration until April 22 at 6 p.m. After this deadline, registration must be completed in person either at the polling station on voting day or at a local Elections Canada office.

Pre-registering makes the experience at the voting station quicker and more efficient, Elections Canada says.

Click here to register, check your voter status, or update your address.

Advance Polling

Advance polling stations are scheduled to operate for four consecutive days from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., starting April 18 and concluding on April 21.

Canadians eligible to cast a ballot can check their voter information card or use the Voter Information Service to identify the location of their polling station.

Anyone who hasn’t received their voter information card by April 11 or has a card with incorrect information, can use the Online Voter Registration Service to register or update an address or call 1-800-463-6868 or 1-800-361-8935 (TTY) for assistance.

Students and Soldiers

Students and military personnel will also get a chance to vote early without having to make the trek to their polling station.

Vote on Campus will be offered at participating campuses for four days, April 13 to 16, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Students must bring their ID to vote for a candidate in the riding where they live.

Canadian Armed Forces members can vote by special ballot at the military poll set up for their base or unit from April 14 to 19.

Any elector with a special ballot has the option of voting at any local Elections Canada office until April 22 at 6 p.m. Special ballot voting will also be offered in acute care facilities, such as hospitals, from April 20 to 22.

Vote By Mail

Canadians who want to vote by mail must apply prior to April 22. Those who apply on time will receive a voting kit with detailed instructions from Elections Canada.

Election Day Voting

Voters who prefer to participate in-person on election day can do so on April 28. All voting locations will be accessible for 12 hours, with operating hours varying by time zone.

Polls will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Atlantic Canada and Newfoundland, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST, and 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. CT, with the exception of Saskatchewan, where polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Provinces and territories on Mountain Time will also be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. while those on Pacific Time will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Televised Debates

The two federal leaders’ debates are scheduled for April 16 in French and April 17 in English, with both events occurring at the Maison de Radio-Canada in Montreal. The French debate will air at 8 p.m. and the English debate at 7 p.m., according to the Leaders’ Debates Commission.

Steve Paikin, host of TVO’s current affairs show “The Agenda with Steve Paikin,” will serve as the moderator for the English debate. Radio-Canada news anchor Patrice Roy will moderate the French debate.

Private French-language network TVA also attempted to organize a French-language debate, but the plan was cancelled after Carney said he won’t take part. The Conservative Party, NDP, and the Bloc Québécois had all confirmed they would take part.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.