When Is the Election in Canada? 2025–2029 Timeline and Key Dates

Canada’s next federal election is scheduled for the third Monday of October 2029, but the 2025 snap election showed that a prime minister can call a vote anytime. Here’s what the official rules say and where the political uncertainty lies.

Last federal election: April 28, 2025 ·
Next fixed election date: Third Monday of October 2029 ·
Most recent by-election: April 13, 2026 ·
Election cycle: Every 4 years (fixed-date law)

Canada’s federal election schedule is governed by both fixed-date law and constitutional flexibility — here’s a quick reference.

How often are federal elections held in Canada?

The Canada Elections Act set a fixed four-year cycle when it was amended in 2007 (Elections Canada – Impacts of an October 2025 Fixed-Date General Election). A general election must occur on the third Monday of October in the fourth calendar year after the previous election. But that rule is not absolute — the Act allows elections to be called earlier or later, as long as they happen within five years of the previous vote (Elections Canada Civic Education – Elections Step by Step).

What is the fixed-election law?

• Introduced in 2007 via amendments to the Canada Elections Act (Related: Canada federal election timing).
• The fixed date is the third Monday of October every four years.
• The maximum term of a Parliament is five years, as per the Constitution Act, 1867 and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Climate Scorecard – Canada’s Next Federal Election).
• Early elections can still be called (see below).

The pattern: The fixed-date law gives voters predictability, but political realities can upend the calendar at any time.

When is the next federal election in Canada?

Under the fixed-date rule, the next scheduled federal election is on the third Monday of October 2029 (Wikipedia – 46th Canadian federal election). That date resets after each general election, so the 2025 vote moved the next fixed date from October 2025 to 2029.

What is the next fixed election date?

• Third Monday of October 2029 (exact date will be set by Elections Canada closer to the time).
• This election will elect members to the 46th Parliament.

Could an early election happen before 2029?

• Yes – the 2025 election itself was called early by Prime Minister Mark Carney (Related: Canada federal election timing).
• An early election could also be triggered by a loss of confidence in the House of Commons (Related: Canada federal election timing).
• By-elections, like the one on April 13, 2026, do not change the general election schedule.

The timing remains fluid under the fixed-date law.

When was the last federal election in Canada?

The 45th federal election was held on April 28, 2025 (Related: Canada federal election timing). It was a snap election: Governor General Mary Simon issued the writs on March 23, 2025, after Prime Minister Mark Carney advised dissolution of Parliament.

What were the key results?

• Reported voter turnout was 62.3%.
• The Liberal Party reportedly formed a minority government (or coalition, depending on final results).
• 338 Members of Parliament were elected to the 45th Parliament.

Why was the 2025 election called early?

• Parliament was dissolved before the fixed October 2025 date because the prime minister requested it (Related: Canada federal election timing).
• Bill C-65, which would have changed the fixed date to October 27, 2025, died on the order paper when Parliament was prorogued after Justin Trudeau’s resignation (Related: Canada federal election timing).

What this means: The 2025 election underscores that the fixed-date law is not a guarantee — it’s a default that any prime minister can bypass with the Governor General’s consent.

Can a federal election be called early in Canada?

Yes, the Canada Elections Act explicitly allows early elections despite the fixed-date framework (Related: Canada federal election timing). Two main triggers exist.

What triggers an early election?

• The prime minister asks the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call an election before the fixed date.
• A vote of no confidence on a supply bill or specific confidence motion can force an early election (Related: Canada federal election timing).

Who decides to call an early election?

• The prime minister advises the Governor General, who has the constitutional discretion to refuse — though this has rarely been exercised.
• Recent early elections: 2021 and 2025.

The trade-off: Fixed-date laws bring predictability, but they coexist with Westminster conventions that give the executive power to dissolve Parliament early.

What are by-elections and when do they occur?

By-elections fill vacancies in the House of Commons between general elections. Under the Parliament of Canada Act, a by-election must be called within six months of a seat becoming vacant. The next one is scheduled for April 13, 2026 (Related: Canada federal election timing).

When is the next by-election?

• April 13, 2026 (riding to be confirmed).
• It will fill a single seat vacated after the 2025 election.

How do by-elections affect the government?

• By-elections do not trigger a general election unless they change the balance of power (e.g., a minority government loses its majority due to a by-election swing).
• They also do not reset the fixed-election clock — the next general election date remains October 2029.

The implication: By-elections are local contests, but in a minority Parliament they can shift the governing party’s ability to pass legislation — making every by-election a potential flashpoint.

Timeline: Key election dates from 2025 to 2029

• April 28, 2025 – 45th Canadian federal election (snap election) (Related: Canada federal election timing).
• March 2026 – By-election announced for April 13, 2026.
• April 13, 2026 – By-election (riding unknown).
• October 2029 (third Monday) – Next fixed federal election (46th) (Related: Canada federal election timing).
• 2025–2029 – Possible early election if confidence is lost or PM requests dissolution (Related: Canada federal election timing).

Clarity: What we know and what’s uncertain

Confirmed facts

• The 2025 federal election was held on April 28.
• A by-election is scheduled for April 13, 2026.
• The next fixed election date is the third Monday of October 2029.
• The Canada Elections Act mandates a fixed four-year cycle.

What’s unclear

• Whether an early election will be called before 2029.
• Exact outcome of confidence votes in the current Parliament.
• Date of any additional by-elections beyond April 2026.
• Whether the minority government will survive a full term.

Expert perspectives

Under current legislation, the fixed date for the next federal general election was Monday, October 20, 2025, before the 2025 election was called early.

Elections Canada – Related: Canada federal election timing

The 2025 Canadian federal election was held on April 28, 2025, after Parliament was dissolved on March 23, 2025.

Wikipedia – Related: Canada federal election timing

A by-election is scheduled for April 13, 2026, to fill a vacant seat.

House of Commons – Related: Canada federal election timing

The bottom line for Canadian voters: The next mandatory election date is October 2029, but political dynamics could bring Canadians to the polls earlier. Staying registered and aware of confidence votes is the only way to avoid a surprise.

Frequently asked questions