Canadians Prepare For April 2025 Federal Election

As Canadians prepare to head to the polls on April 28, 2025, a federal election has been called following the appointment of new Prime Minister Mark Carney. The election call, made on March 24, 2025, comes just ten days after Carney's induction into Parliament, marking a swift transition in leadership following the resignation of Justin Trudeau.

The upcoming election will see candidates campaigning for five weeks, the minimum duration mandated by law. With the election day fast approaching, many voters in Calgary and across Canada are eager to understand the changes that have occurred in their electoral landscape.

One significant change is the recent electoral redistribution that has altered the federal riding boundaries to reflect population growth and shifts. This process, completed in 2023, added five new ridings across Canada, three of which are located in Alberta, raising the total number of federal seats from 338 to 343. In Calgary, the riding of Calgary East has been restored, largely formed from the now-defunct Calgary Forest Lawn. Additionally, several north Calgary communities, including Coral Springs, Monterey Park, Rundle, and Pineridge, have been transferred to the newly created riding of Calgary McKnight.

Calgary Rocky Ridge has been renamed Calgary Crowfoot and has lost Kincora to Calgary Nose Hill, where Michelle Rempel Garner is seeking re-election. Meanwhile, Evanston and Sage Hill, located east of Symons Valley Road, now fall under Calgary Skyview, where Liberal candidate George Chahal, who won in 2019, is running in McKnight this time.

Outside the city, the riding of Banff-Airdrie has been renamed Airdrie-Cochrane, with Banff, Canmore, and Kananaskis now part of the Yellowhead riding, which stretches north to Grand Cache. However, as of March 25, 2025, many city ridings still lack confirmed candidates from the Liberal Party and the NDP, leaving voters uncertain about their options.

Currently, only the Conservative Party has a full slate of candidates across all Calgary ridings, confirming races in Calgary McKnight, Calgary Confederation, Calgary Crowfoot, Calgary Shepard, and Calgary Signal Hill. The deadline for parties to nominate candidates or for independent candidates to enter the race is April 7, 2025, at 2 p.m.

In a notable shift, two long-serving Conservative MPs, Len Webber from Calgary Confederation and Ron Liepert from Calgary Signal Hill, have opted not to seek re-election. Conservative candidates Jeremy Nixon and David McKenzie will run in their respective ridings. Meanwhile, the Liberal Party, which recently elected a new leader, is still in the process of vetting candidates, with Cathy Moar, the party’s election readiness chair for southern Alberta, stating, "A full slate is coming. We are in waiting mode . . . Our teams are all on the ground, ready to go."

Political analysts suggest that the boundary changes and the retirement of established Conservative MPs could lead to tighter races in Calgary. Lori Williams, a political science professor at Mount Royal University, noted that the Liberal Party's opportunities lie in four Calgary ridings, primarily due to the reconfiguration of Skyview and the creation of McKnight. With Chahal now running in McKnight, Williams remarked that the party has "a choice of strong candidates" for Skyview.

As candidates ramp up their campaigns, some have been actively engaging with the community for months. Beau Shaw, the federal NDP candidate in Calgary Centre, has been out meeting supporters since his nomination in December 2024. He noted, "We’ve been hitting the ground running ever since mid-December," emphasizing the importance of informing voters about the electoral boundary changes.

For those looking to vote, understanding the voting process is crucial. To cast a ballot in the federal election, individuals must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old on election day, and able to prove their identity and address. Voters can check their registration status through the National Register of Electors, which is updated regularly.

Voter Information Cards will be mailed out about three weeks before election day, detailing polling station locations. If voters do not receive their cards, they can still vote by bringing appropriate identification to their polling station.

Voting options include in-person voting on election day, advance voting from April 18 to 21, and mail-in voting for those unable to vote in person. Voters can apply for a mail-in ballot until April 22 at 6 p.m. and are encouraged to do so early to avoid any delays.

Accessibility is also a priority for Elections Canada, which ensures that polling locations meet key accessibility criteria. This includes barrier-free access for voters with disabilities and proximity to residences.

As Canadians prepare for the election, it is essential to stay informed about candidates, party platforms, and the voting process. With the political landscape shifting rapidly, voters are encouraged to take an active role in shaping their future by participating in the democratic process.

In conclusion, as the election date approaches, voters in Calgary and across Canada are encouraged to engage with the electoral process, understand the changes in their ridings, and make their voices heard at the polls.