What is the average turnout for Canadian general elections?

In April 2025, Canadians went to the polls to elect a new federal government. According to Elections Canada, 19,813,211 people cast a ballot, resulting in a voter turnout of 69.4%—the highest participation rate in a general election since 1993 (69.6%). This milestone marks the strongest turnout in the past 10 federal elections.

Since Confederation in 1867, Canada has held 45 federal elections. The average voter turnout over this period is 70.36%, meaning nearly 7 in 10 eligible voters typically participate. The highest turnout on record occurred during the 1958 election, when 79.4% of eligible voters cast a ballot. In contrast, the lowest turnout was recorded in 2008, with only 58.8% of eligible voters taking part.

Seasonal trends in Canadian elections and voter turnout

Summer is the most common season for Canadian elections, with 15 out of 45 national elections held during this time. Autumn follows closely with 14 elections, while spring and winter have seen 9 and 7 elections, respectively. Despite being the most frequent, summer elections have the second-lowest average voter turnout at 69.19%. Winter elections record the lowest turnout, averaging 68.73%. In contrast, spring elections lead in voter participation, with an average turnout of 73.67%, followed by autumn at 70.13%. These trends highlight how the season in which an election is held can influence voter engagement in Canada.