Next Canadian Federal Election: April 28, 2025 Snap Vote

Canada’s federal elections are governed by fixed-date rules under the Canada Elections Act, yet political leaders retain the constitutional authority to call a snap election ahead of schedule — and 2025 proved exactly that. When Prime Minister Mark Carney advised Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament, voters went to the polls on April 28, 2025, rather than the scheduled October 20 date.

Last federal election: 2021 ·
Fixed-date next election: October 2025 ·
2025 election held: April 28, 2025 ·
Frequency: Every 4 years ·
Key source: Elections Canada

When was the last federal election in Canada?

The last federal election was held on September 20, 2021, when Canadians elected 338 MPs across the country’s electoral districts. The Liberal Party, led by Justin Trudeau, won a minority government — requiring them to seek support from other parties to pass legislation.

2021 election details

The 2021 election saw voter turnout of approximately 62% across the country. The Liberal Party secured 160 seats, the Conservative Party won 119 seats, the Bloc Québécois captured 34 seats, the New Democratic Party secured 25 seats, and the Green Party won 2 seats. This minority result meant Trudeau continued as Prime Minister but faced a Parliament where no single party held a majority.

Results overview

Following the 2021 election, Parliament functioned with the Liberal minority until Prime Minister Trudeau’s resignation announcement prompted prorogation. That prorogation killed the Electoral Participation Act — a bill that would have shifted the 2025 fixed date to October 27, 2025, to avoid conflicts with Diwali and Alberta municipal elections. The prorogation cleared the path for Mark Carney to assume the Liberal leadership and call the snap election that became the 2025 Canadian federal election.

When is the next federal election in Canada?

The Canada Elections Act requires federal elections on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year after the previous election’s polling day.

Fixed date October 2025

Under the fixed-date provisions of the Canada Elections Act, which requires federal elections to be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year after the polling day of the previous election, the election was scheduled to take place on October 20, 2025.

2025 election page

However, the 2025 Canadian federal election diverged sharply from that schedule. Governor General Mary Simon issued writs of election on March 23, 2025, following advice from Prime Minister Mark Carney to dissolve Parliament. Polling day arrived April 28, 2025 — nearly six months ahead of the fixed date.

The date of return of writs for the 2025 election was May 19, 2025. The election used a new 343-seat electoral map based on the 2021 census, reflecting population shifts across the country.

Incumbent political parties hold a massive tactical advantage over their opponents in jurisdictions that allow the government to set its own election date, which is precisely why fixed-date laws were enacted federally.

How often does Canada have federal elections?

Canada holds federal elections every four years under the fixed-date provisions of the Canada Elections Act. The law, enacted via An Act to Amend the Canada Elections Act, received royal assent on May 3, 2007, with the first fixed-date election held October 19, 2009.

Every 4 years rule

Under Section 56.1(2) of the Canada Elections Act, federal elections must occur on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year after the previous election’s polling day. This creates a predictable four-year cycle that limits the governing party’s ability to choose politically advantageous timing.

“The bill would provide that general elections must be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following polling day for the last general election.”

— Government of Canada official announcement, May 2006

Prime minister elections

Fixed dates apply to federal elections for the House of Commons — not to the prime minister’s term directly. Canadians elect MPs; the leader of the party winning the most seats becomes Prime Minister. However, the constitutional five-year maximum Parliament term under Constitution Act, 1867 s.50 and Charter s.4 means an election must occur before five years elapse even if the fixed date hasn’t arrived.

When can a federal election be called in Canada?

Several mechanisms allow federal elections to occur before the fixed date — including the Prime Minister’s advice to the Governor General to dissolve Parliament, minority government collapses via no-confidence motions, or constitutional deadlines forcing action.

Snap election triggers

The Governor General can dissolve Parliament on the Prime Minister’s advice, triggering an election at any time. This occurred in 2025 when Mark Carney advised Governor General Mary Simon. Early elections are constitutional and have been used multiple times in Canadian history.

Prime minister dissolution

The Prime Minister’s role is advisory — the Governor General technically retains discretion, though in practice follows convention. The Chief Electoral Officer can recommend an alternate date by August 1 if the fixed date conflicts with cultural or religious events or other elections, limited to the next day or following Monday.

Provincial variations: fixed dates across Canada

Fixed-date rules vary across Canadian jurisdictions, with some provinces maintaining them and others abandoning the practice.

The implication: provincial divergence from fixed-date rules — like Ontario’s 2025 elimination — suggests the federal model faces ongoing pressure, yet the constitutional authority to dissolve Parliament ensures governments retain flexibility regardless of statutory frameworks.

Will there be a federal election in Canada in 2026?

The next fixed federal election is not scheduled until 2029, but federal elections can occur anytime through by-elections, snap calls, or no-confidence triggers.

Post-2025 possibilities

After the April 28, 2025 snap election resulted in a minority government led by Mark Carney, the political landscape remained fluid. By-elections and floor-crossings in 2026 shifted the balance, with Carney eventually securing a majority through these mechanisms rather than a scheduled general election.

By-election notes

By-elections occur when a seat becomes vacant between scheduled elections due to resignation, death, or other circumstances. A by-election occurred April 13, 2026. Unlike general elections, by-elections fill individual seats and don’t alter the overall electoral cycle established by fixed-date rules.

Key questions about federal election timing

The intersection of fixed-date laws and constitutional authority raises several practical questions for voters and observers.

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PM Carney’s snap call sets the next federal election for April 28, 2025 ahead of the fixed four-year October date, as this election date guide explains alongside Elections Canada rules.