As Canadians voted in a high-stakes poll overshadowed by US President Donald Trump‘s actions, some asked a simple problem: Why Monday?
While Canadians lined up to determine whether to rear new Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberals or jump right to Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives, Trump stirred controversy from far, suggesting Canada may simply become the “51st state” — perhaps claiming the US subsidizes its northern neighbor. His eruption sent shockwaves through a tense election previously defined by fears of financial turmoil and political invasion.
However, behind the episode, a tradition slowly persisted: Canada’s unwavering option of Monday for national elections. Here’s why:
Why national elections take place on Monday: Some critical reasons
- 1. It’s in regulation
As per Elections Canada, voting may taking place on a Monday with the plan being between 37 and 51 times.
- Citizens have the trip to make
Elections on Monday give Canadians two full days prior to handle traveling, job out work schedule, and find themselves ready to go and voting.
- Set time for voting stations
Polling facilities require installation time. Saturday and Sunday are reserved by election leaders and participants to build voting centres without interfering with normal week schedule.
- Set election dates prevent political exploitation
A Canada Elections Act article proposed by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper ensures that general elections are held every four years on the second Monday in October. Harper contended,” Set election deadlines prevent institutions from calling snap elections for short-term social benefits. “
- What if it’s a common trip?
If the planned Monday is a federal holiday — such as Thanksgiving — voting shifts to the following morning, Tuesday.
- It’s happened before
In 2008, the national election took place on Tuesday, October 14, because Thanksgiving fell on Monday, October 13.
- Many parties in the competition
This year’s election has all significant players: Liberal Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party ( NDP ), Bloc Québécois, and the Green Party.
- Timeline of initial and ultimate results
Initial results will come on election night, followed by last qualified results two to three days after following a cautious re-examination.
- Carney ahead with a narrow lead
Last-minute polls predicted a close contest but had Carney narrowly in the lead. Voters repeatedly deemed the ex-central banker more capable of dealing with Trump’s erratic threats.
- Trump’s shadow looms large
Carney consistently cautioned that Trump’s America “wants to break us, so they can own us. ” Meanwhile, Poilievre, a 45-year-old veteran politician, emphasized issues at home, such as Canada’s skyrocketing cost of living — agitations that contributed to the Liberal erosion of support over the last decade.
