Canadians will head to the polls on Monday, April 28, sources have confirmed to CTV News, as Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to ask Governor General Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament on Sunday, triggering a snap election.
The election could occur as early as April 28. According to Elections Canada, a federal election period must last between 37 and 51 days, inclusive of both the day the writ is issued and election day itself. By opting for April 28, Carney has chosen the shortest campaign period permitted under Canadian law—mirroring the 37-day campaign of the last federal election in the summer of 2021. This timeline means advance polls would take place over Easter weekend.
Parliament has been prorogued for over two months, following former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation announcement on January 6, 2025, with its return scheduled for Monday, March 24. Carney, selected as Trudeau’s successor on March 9 after a brief Liberal leadership race, will sidestep delivering a throne speech or facing confidence votes that could threaten his minority government by calling the election on Sunday. Notably, Carney does not currently hold a seat in the House of Commons.