How much does it cost to run a federal election?

As of March 2025, the month before Canadians went to the polls and elected a Liberal minority government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Elections Canada estimated that the 45th General Election would cost $570 million, or approximately $19.79 for each registered elector. That’s about $80 million more, or an increase of $2.02 per voter, compared to the previous election held in 2021. The federal election cost has increased in each successive election since 2019.

According to Elections Canada, the costs of elections are typically spread over three years and include expenses after election day, such as reimbursements to political parties and candidates. Updated expense figures for the 2025 general election will be published once final invoices have been received and processed.

What are common election expenses?

According to Elections Canada, election costs are usually spread over three years and include post-election expenses like reimbursements to parties and candidates. Other costs cover hiring election workers, printing ballots and voter lists, mailing voter cards, leasing offices and polling places, running awareness campaigns, and deploying IT and telecom equipment.