As Canada gears up for its federal election on April 28, 2025, Elections Canada has announced plans to hire over 200,000 temporary workers to facilitate the electoral process. Each position will pay a minimum of $20 per hour, providing a significant opportunity for individuals seeking stable employment amidst a challenging job market.
The announcement comes shortly after Liberal leader Mark Carney called a snap election on March 30, just over a week after taking office as Canada’s 24th prime minister. Political leaders from various parties, including Conservatives’ Pierre Poilievre, NDP’s Jagmeet Singh, and the Greens’ Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault, have already begun their campaigns across the country.
The upcoming federal election will feature early voting from April 18 to 20, allowing Canadians to cast their ballots ahead of the official election day. This initiative aims to increase voter participation and streamline the voting process.
To be eligible for temporary roles with Elections Canada, candidates must meet specific criteria. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, at least 16 years old, and must not engage in any political activities during their employment. Additionally, individuals who have been convicted of election-related offenses in the past seven years are disqualified from applying.
Poll workers will be expected to work 13-hour shifts and undergo three hours of paid training. Key roles include:
- Deputy Returning Officer: Responsible for setting up polls, verifying IDs, issuing ballots, counting ballots, and completing necessary paperwork. Pay is $20.01 per hour plus overtime.
- Information Officer: Assists electors, manages lines, and ensures smooth voting operations. Pay is $20.01 per hour plus overtime.
- Registration Officer: Sets up registration desks, verifies IDs, and assists voters. Pay is $20.01 per hour plus overtime.
- Central Poll Supervisor: Oversees polling stations and manages workers to ensure compliance with election laws. Pay is $26.46 per hour plus overtime.
In addition to these roles, Elections Canada is also hiring service agents and information officers to assist with voting on select campuses, targeting student populations. Service agents will earn $23.01 per hour, while information officers will receive $20.01 per hour.
Moreover, Indigenous elders and youth will play a crucial role in assisting electors in Indigenous communities by providing interpretation services in Indigenous languages. These interpreters will work in shifts of six hours per day and will receive training to ensure effective communication.
The economic context surrounding this hiring initiative is significant. In February 2025, Canada added only 1,100 jobs, a figure that fell short of expectations and marked a sharp decline from January’s impressive gain of 76,000 jobs. This downturn is attributed to ongoing trade tensions, including U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats, which have created uncertainty in the job market.
As the political landscape heats up, Poilievre has positioned the Conservative Party as the best choice to stand up to Trump, while Singh heads to British Columbia to rally support for the NDP. The election promises to be a competitive one, with key issues at stake and a diverse range of candidates vying for the attention of voters.
For more information about the election and available job opportunities, interested individuals can visit the official Elections Canada website. This hiring initiative not only aims to bolster the electoral process but also provides a vital source of income for those in need during these uncertain economic times.
