On this important election day, polling stations across Canada saw voters flocking to cast their ballots. With the first polls opening in Newfoundland and Labrador at 8:30 a.m. local time, or 7 a.m. Eastern, there was a collective sense of anticipation. Ontario and Quebec, the most populous provinces located in the Eastern time zone, had polling hours from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Meanwhile, voters in British Columbia, located on the western end of the country, had a half-hour extension, closing at 10 p.m. Eastern.
Elections Canada, the nonpartisan agency overseeing the election, reported a total of about 7.3 million Canadians participated in the early-voting period from April 18 to April 21, which represented a notable 25 percent increase in turnout compared to the 2021 election cycle. With such heightened engagement, the election results are highly anticipated, reflecting the evolving political sentiments across the nation.
Ian Austen, reporting from Ottawa, has been covering Canadian politics and culture for over two decades. He remains a key voice in understanding the dynamics of Canada's electoral landscape.
Elections Canada, the nonpartisan agency overseeing the election, reported a total of about 7.3 million Canadians participated in the early-voting period from April 18 to April 21, which represented a notable 25 percent increase in turnout compared to the 2021 election cycle. With such heightened engagement, the election results are highly anticipated, reflecting the evolving political sentiments across the nation.
Ian Austen, reporting from Ottawa, has been covering Canadian politics and culture for over two decades. He remains a key voice in understanding the dynamics of Canada's electoral landscape.
