Advance voting for the federal election in Canada begins today, Friday, April 18, 2025, and will continue through the long weekend, culminating on Monday, April 21, 2025. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day, providing an opportunity for voters to cast their ballots ahead of the official election day on April 28, 2025.
In Saanich-Gulf Islands, Courtenay-Alberni, Surrey, and across the country, registered voters have been advised to check their voter information cards, which detail their assigned polling locations. Unlike some provincial elections where voters can cast their ballots at any location, electors must vote at their designated polling place. This can be confirmed by visiting elections.ca or by calling 1-800-463-6868.
To participate in the election, voters must prove their identity and address. The accepted forms of identification include a driver’s license or two pieces of ID: one with their name and another showing their address. Nathalie de Montigny, spokesperson for Elections Canada, emphasized the importance of bringing the correct identification. “The easiest way to find out where to vote is to go to the Elections Canada website and simply put your postal code in the voter information box,” she said.
Advance voting has gained popularity in recent years. According to de Montigny, “Last election in 2021, it was 34 percent of electors who cast their ballots at advanced voting day, compared to the election before in 2019, which was 27 percent.” This trend indicates a growing willingness among Canadians to take advantage of early voting options.
For those who might miss the advance voting window, there are additional options available. Voters can still cast their ballots at any Elections Canada office until April 22, 2025, at 6 p.m. The offices are open seven days a week, with hours varying from Monday to Friday (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.), Saturdays (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and Sundays (noon to 4 p.m.).
Additionally, residents have the option to vote by mail using the special ballot process. However, they must apply online at elections.ca by April 22, and the marked ballot must be returned by election day.
In the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding, candidates include David Beckham from the Liberal Party, Elizabeth May representing the Green Party, Cathie Ounsted from the Conservative Party, and Colin Plant from the New Democratic Party. Meanwhile, in Courtenay-Alberni, voters will choose from candidates such as Brian Cameron (Liberal Party), Thomas Gamble (People’s Party of Canada), Gord Johns (NDP), and Teresa Knight (The Animal Protection Party).
As voters in Surrey prepare to head to the polls, they should note that the city’s electoral boundaries have changed since the last federal election. Voters will be voting in one of seven ridings: Surrey Centre, Surrey Newton, Fleetwood-Port Kells, Cloverdale-Langley City, Langley Township-Fraser Heights, South Surrey-White Rock, or Delta. The candidates in these ridings include a mix of representatives from various parties, including the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, NDP, Green Party, and others.
On Tuesday, April 22, there will also be voting in hospitals and other acute care facilities, alongside the option for voters to apply for a mail-in ballot. This provides an additional layer of accessibility for those who may face challenges in attending polling places.
Daniel Westlake, a political science professor at the University of Saskatchewan, noted the significance of voter turnout. “The people we probably know the least about are people that don’t go and vote, tend not to answer surveys either,” he explained. This highlights the ongoing challenge of engaging potential voters, particularly among younger demographics, who historically have lower turnout rates.
As the advance voting period unfolds, it offers Canadians a vital opportunity to participate in shaping their government. With the election day approaching on April 28, the enthusiasm for early voting could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of this election cycle.
As voters prepare to make their voices heard, the importance of being informed about polling locations, identification requirements, and available voting options cannot be overstated. Whether voting early or on election day, every ballot counts in the democratic process.
