I think maybe more like 8am–8pm, if memory serves. I can’t ever remember a poll being open later than 8pm.
For what it’s worth, Americans do also have some local elections out of synch with the big elections in November. For instance, my suburban town has an vote coming up for the library levy. These elections are often deliberately scheduled this way in the expectation that the people who support them are more motivated and more likely to turn out for an election at an unusual time.
The 338Canada analysis isn’t showing any significant movement anymore, they just bounce a seat or two up and down. As of April 11:
Liberal 196
CPC 120
BQ 17
NDP 8
Green 2
The polling times vary across the country, to try to make results come in more closely together. That was in reaction to the number of times a government was elected by Ontario and Quebec voters before the polls even closed in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Carney would need to fuck up something royal to lose now.
If any other thing happens (Singh rebounds, Blanchet lands a good hit during the debates, PP turns down the trumpy-dumpty loony-looness) I doubt that the polls can move fast enough to make Carney lose.
He still CAN lose, but its slim (it would require something big). If nothing happens between now and the debates… Carney will win. A minority government will be his only risk (up to the election day itself).
Debates can change a lot in Canada.
The popular vote difference isn’t that great. Five, maybe six points. A good or bad debate can change that; we’ve seen it in the past.
Poilevre needs a KO punch, and he needs to land it in the English debate where all those Ontario seats are at stake.
There is speculation Carney might lose popularity in Quebec after the debate in French.
I’ll be honest… I don’t see this having much effect. They already know his French is mediocre and are prioritizing economic issues. The fact he is close with France’s leaders is probably a plus. Plus he has come out in support of the CBC primarily as a way to support Radio-Canada, which was politically smart.
I get the impression few watch the debates but many follow the media, which has been very supportive of Carney.
Well, I’m trying to think what could PP do to get the Liberal right to come back him.
If the Liberal right just stay home, I think Carney still wins. If they stay home and Singh wins back the wobbly Left… I think Carney still wins a minority (with Singh holding his leash). If the Liberals lose their right, their left, AND all those wayward bloquistes… Only then I will expect that PP will win.
Also, I just don’t think the Liberal right would abandon this highly trusted, mild-mannered, economic wizard. He’s their dream candidate. The Liberal left SHOULD hate him,… but Trump and PP have scared the Left into rallying behind Carney. The Bloc has the same problem. Quebec isn’t voting as “a bloc” this federal election. Bigger matters have dominated and split them.
ETA: I really think PP has screwed the pooch here. He had years to move into the centre and occupy it, leaving no room for Carney to dislodge him. However PP gave up the centre WITHOUT A FIGHT!
All Carney had to do was “look at me, look at my employment history, Harper trusted me, England trusted me, also here let me axe that tax for you”
PP just stood there fanning culture war insults and slogans. No effort was made to fight for the Liberal right. What an fool. Who cares if you win rural Alberta by 60% instead of 80%. Suburban Ontario is worth it!
Everybody in Canada can’t possibly live within a ten minute walk of a polling place.
Is mail-in balloting allowed?
Yes, provided you apply to vote by mail by April 22.
Here’s the link to Elections Canada with info on how to vote:
Ah. That would solve the distance-to-the-polls problem (which, if there were no way around it, would have been made worse by voting for everything on different dates.)
Just got my ballot for international voting.
Instructions (summarized):
- Check your former postal code in case your riding has changed.
- Write the name of your candidate on the piece of paper provided.
- Put the paper in Envelope A
- Put Envelope A in Envelope B. Sign and date Envelope B.
- Put Envelope B in Envelope C. Mail.
Envelope C says “Postage paid if mailed to Canada”. I’ve seen “Postage paid if mailed in Canada” before, but this is the first time I’ve seen the other. We’ll see if the local post office will take it.
edit: They sent the ballot by DHL to me.
@thorny_locust, I know that mail-in voting is an option for our upcoming federal election.
This is obviously true but, where practicable and IME, living in older, close to downtown suburbs, polling stations have never been further than a ten minute walk.
My main point, however, is that we have nothing like the hours long waits like I’ve seen on US news. Our voting processes are not controlled by any political party and our processes are made to be as easy as possible.
Also I should add, in this case, the Conservatives would win a minority government, not a majority.
It would be VERY difficult to govern in this case. PP unleashed months and months of anti-Singh propaganda (in payback for supporting Trudeau). As soon as an election was called, Singh violently lashed out at PP, vowing to never work with him nor his minority government ever. If PP wins it would be a VERY weak government.
Looking less likely every day for a Con minority.
Got my voter card in the mail yesterday.
On election day in Montreal the polls are from 9:30am-9:30pm in the basement of a church two streets away.
On the advance voting days, they are 9am-9pm in a school gym two streets away in the opposite direction.
Both meet “15 accessibility criteria” though I’m too lazy to look them up to see what that means.
Early voting at an Elections Canada office ends Tuesday the 22, 6pm. I assume that’s their typical office hours. That’s also the deadline for requesting a language/sign language interpreter or other assistance. The Elections Canada office is downtown, which is a 15-20 minute drive or 35-40 minute transit for me.
I’m slightly further away. Regular poll is in a school about 6 blocks away. 850m walk according to google maps. Advance poll is 1km in a different direction, and actually right in downtown Saskatoon with limited free parking, so that’s a slight surprise for me. Although I spose they may flag off the street parking as free during advance polling hours. Since I’m going to need to use the advance poll as I expect to be out of town on election day, I can report back.
For those watching, Canada and Australia have completely independent Election Commissions over seeing elections and with some teeth. 
Australia has IMNSHO a better system with preferential voting and mandatory voting ( even for Australians travelling abroad.)
Canada has First Past the Post…making it far too easy to get a majority position with as little as 36% of the popular vote…poor representation.
Note that you can vote right now, at the Local Electoral Office. You don’t need to wait for the advance poll. You can choose that option up to April 22.
Easy enough to walk down to the advance poll next weekend.