Monday, April 28, 2025
 

Canadians head to polls today, after tragedy marked last day of campaigning

After five weeks of intense campaigning, election day has arrived and millions of Canadians will head to the polls today to choose the next federal government.

If you haven't registered to vote yet, don't worry. Elections Canada allows people to register on election day at their designated polling station, as Darren Major explains.

The final day of the election campaign was marked by tragedy. Vancouver police said Sunday morning that 11 people were killed and more than 20 were hurt after an SUV rammed into a street festival celebrating the contributions of the Filipino Canadian community.

All the party leaders changed campaign plans and took time to address the horrific event. Prime Minister Mark Carney offered condolences to families of the victims and said that "Canadians are united with you."

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre offered his condolences at a Filipino community church.

"I know many of you are shocked, heartbroken and saddened by this senseless act of violence and by the innocent and treasured lives that have been lost," he said, holding hands with his wife Anaida Poilievre. 

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who had been at the festival and left just minutes before the incident happened, remembered the families he met — and fought back tears.

"There were kids there, there were families there, they were so full of joy," he said. "I don't have the words to describe the pain I am feeling right now, the lives that are lost."

You can read more of this story from Catharine Tunney here.

And here's how to follow the extensive coverage CBC News has planned for election day and night, on all platforms.

Welcome to Canada Votes. Every day, this newsletter will bring the latest from the 2025 federal election campaign straight to your inbox. We'll have CBC Politics' top stories, updates for each of the major party leaders, a photo of the day and how you can tune in to CBC's extensive election coverage tonight. So stay tuned, there's a lot more in store.

B.C. Premier David Eby and his wife Cailey Lynch, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, Liberal Leader Mark Carney and MLA Mable Elmore stand at a memorial for the Lapu Lapu Day block party tragedy in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Shock and grief rippled through Canada's Filipino community on Sunday as members struggled to come to grips with an attack at a cultural street festival in Vancouver on Saturday that killed 11 people and injured dozens more. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

Millions of Canadians are expected to cast their ballots today in a pivotal election that will decide who will lead the country through a trade battle with the United States.

The 36-day campaign has been nothing short of remarkable for the leading contenders: Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

Just a few months ago, polls suggested Poilievre was all but guaranteed to clinch the majority government he'd long been waiting for, after Canadians soured on former prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Then came Trudeau's early January resignation, U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war and persistent barbs about making Canada the 51st state — flipping the political script.

With Trump announcing, pausing, then re-announcing devastating tariffs on Canadian goods, the campaign largely became a race about who is best to steer Canada through global uncertainty.

Read more of this story from Catharine Tunney.

Photo of the Day

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh talks with Rosita Taruc, right, as NDP candidate for Vancouver Kingsway Don Davies, back centre, listens as they arrive to attend mass at St. MaryÕs Parish, in Vancouver, on Sunday, April 27, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Listen of the Day

It’s election day and we’re going big with IDEAS for a Better Canada — a series that criss-crossed the country right alongside the election campaign. 

Host Nahlah Ayed went off in search of local ideas that could inspire national change. The team visited public libraries in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia to talk about the root causes of polarization, the high cost of the housing crisis, the value of engaged citizenship and the crucial democratic role of libraries. 

If you’re waiting in a voting line-up and need a big picture listen, they’ve got you covered. 

Listen to IDEAS — a podcast for people who like to think — right here.