What Happens During an Election Campaign?

The Writ Is Dropped

An election begins when the Governor General dissolves Parliament on the Prime Minister's advice. The “writ” — a formal document — is issued to every riding, commanding the returning officer to hold an election. From this moment:

• Parliament is dissolved — all MPs lose their seats
• The government enters caretaker mode
• Campaign spending rules kick in
• Elections Canada activates polling infrastructure across the country
• Candidate nominations are opened in every riding

The Campaign Trail

During the campaign, activity happens at two levels simultaneously:

National Campaign

• Party leaders tour the country on buses and planes, making daily announcements
• Platform releases — each party publishes its policy platform (promises, costing)
• Leaders' debates — usually 2–3 televised debates (English and French)
• National advertising — TV, radio, digital, and social media campaigns
• Daily polling and media analysis

Local Campaign (in each riding)

• Door-to-door canvassing — candidates and volunteers knock on thousands of doors
• Local all-candidates debates hosted by community organizations
• Lawn signs, flyers, and local advertising
• Phone and text banking to identify supporters
• Get-out-the-vote (GOTV) operations on election day

Leaders' Debates

Since 2019, the Leaders' Debate Commission organizes official debates in both English and French. The debates are broadcast on multiple networks and available online. They typically feature:

• Leaders of parties with seats in the House or significant polling support
• Moderated questions on economy, healthcare, foreign policy, environment, and other key issues
• Direct exchanges between leaders
• Citizen questions submitted in advance

Debates can be pivotal moments. A strong or weak debate performance can shift voter intentions and change the trajectory of a campaign.

Advance Polls and Special Ballots

You don't have to wait for election day. Starting about 10 days before the election:

• Advance polls — Open Friday through Monday, 10 days before election day. Any voter can use them.
• Special ballots — Available by mail for Canadians abroad, those with mobility issues, or anyone who applies.
• Elections Canada offices — Open throughout the campaign for in-person voting.

In recent elections, advance voting has surged. In 2021, over 5.8 million Canadians voted in advance polls — a record.

Election Night

Polls close at staggered times across time zones (starting at 7 PM Atlantic, ending at 7 PM Pacific). Results unfold through the evening:

1. Atlantic Canada results come in first — early trends emerge
2. Quebec and Ontario results follow — these provinces have the most seats and often determine the outcome
3. Prairie and BC results complete the picture
4. If the result is clear, the losing leaders typically concede and the winning leader claims victory
5. In close elections, results may not be final until mail-in ballots are counted days later

The next day, the winning party leader meets with the Governor General and is formally asked to form government. If the same party wins again, the transition is immediate. If the government changes, the transition typically takes a few weeks.

Campaign Rules and Fairness

Canadian elections are governed by strict rules designed to keep campaigns fair:

• Spending limits — Parties, candidates, and third parties all have caps on how much they can spend.
• Donation limits — Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents can donate, and individual donations are capped (around $1,700 per party per year).
• Advertising blackout — No new election advertising is allowed on election day itself.
• Media fairness — Broadcasters must provide equitable coverage to all parties.
• Foreign interference rules — Foreign entities are prohibited from spending to influence Canadian elections.

Frequently Asked Questions