Millions of Canadians flocked to the polls on Monday for a snap federal election that has captured attention across North America. At the heart of the debate? Growing concerns about US President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs and his shocking call to make Canada the 51st US state. (Source: CBC News, April 2025)

Prime Minister Mark Carney, newly leading the Liberal Party after taking over from Justin Trudeau, called this early election in March. His main challenger is Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. With Canadians eager for stability in uncertain times, this election could reshape Canada’s future dramatically.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about Canada’s snap election in simple terms.

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Why Was a Snap Election Called?

Mark Carney, who recently replaced Justin Trudeau, called for a snap election to secure a fresh mandate amid mounting pressure from the US.
According to CBC News (April 2025), Carney wanted to strengthen his position as prime minister and address critical issues like US-Canada trade relations and national sovereignty.

How Was Parliament Structured Before the Election?

Before Parliament was dissolved last month:

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• Liberals had 152 seats
• Conservatives had 120 seats
• Bloc Québécois held 33 seats
• New Democratic Party (NDP) had 24 seats
• Green Party controlled 2 seats

These numbers meant that neither of the two big parties had a clear dominance, setting the stage for a fierce election battle. (Source: Elections Canada, April 2025)

When Will We Know the Election Winner?

Most polling stations have closed, and vote counting has officially begun.
Early projections from CBC News suggest that the Liberal Party is on track to form the next government. However, whether it will be a majority or minority government remains uncertain.

Typically, if either the Liberals or Conservatives perform strongly in Eastern Canada (like Ontario or Quebec), the result can be declared earlier. But with mail-in votes and high early turnout, final confirmation might take a little longer this time.

How Does Vote Counting Work in Canada?

Canada’s federal election counting is a careful and transparent process:

• Ballots are counted by hand in front of witnesses after polls close.
• Early votes are tallied at local Elections Canada offices.
• Advance ballots, mail-in votes, and military votes may take longer but are expected to be mostly counted on election night itself.

Interestingly, over seven million Canadians voted early — a record-breaking number! (Source: Elections Canada, April 2025)

Which Areas Are Crucial to Watch?

Certain regions are key to determining who will govern:

• Ontario and Quebec hold almost 200 out of 343 total seats.
• The “905 region” — suburbs around Toronto — is a major battleground for both Liberals and Conservatives.
• Nepean and Carleton, near Ottawa, are also crucial:
  • Mark Carney is running for election in Nepean.
  • Pierre Poilievre seeks to retain his seat in Carleton.

Wins in these strategic ridings could tip the balance quickly.

What Happens If No Party Wins a Majority?

If no party captures a clear majority (over half the seats):

• The party with the most seats typically forms a minority government.
• They must then work with other parties to pass laws and budgets.

A minority government often means more negotiation and compromises, which could impact how Canada deals with international pressures like US trade threats.

When Will the New Prime Minister Take Office?

Here’s what happens depending on the outcome:

• If Mark Carney wins, he continues as prime minister without needing a new swearing-in.
• If Pierre Poilievre wins, it could take around two weeks before he is officially sworn in.

As an example, when Justin Trudeau defeated Stephen Harper in 2015, it took 15 days for Trudeau’s formal swearing-in ceremony. (Source: CBC Archives)

Final Thoughts

Canada’s 2025 snap election is not just about local politics — it’s about defending national identity at a time when external pressures, especially from the United States, are stronger than ever.
With Mark Carney’s Liberals projected to lead, Canadians are sending a message that they value stability and experienced leadership during uncertain times.

Still, whether it will be a majority or minority government remains a suspenseful wait as final ballots are counted.

Stay tuned for updates as the results are finalized!