Fed-up Canadians Head to the Polls: The 2025 Federal Election
Political Clash 2025: Analysts predict strong interests may counteract voter exhaustion
For many Canadians, one sentiment permeates the air: exhaustion.
"It's a bloody shame to see how the States' news and recent elections are screwing up our election," remarks Bella Arsenault, an Ottawa resident and Dalhousie University student, addressing Capital Current. "It's bloody annoying and frustrating to witness our elections overshadowed by theirs."
Arsenault isn't alone in her sentiment. She voices concerns over the low voter turnout in the Ontario election last February, the arduous process of organizing her mail-in ballot, and the seemingly endless media coverage of political candidates.
Yet, despite this frustration, Arsenault is "absolutely" planning to vote in the federal election on April 28.
And her decision might not be an isolated case, predicts an expert and voting advocate. If an election takes place immediately after another campaign, turnout in the latter election may see a "significant" decrease, according to a 2017 study published in the European Journal of Political Economy.
However, Samantha Reusch of Apathy is Boring, a non-partisan organization championing youth voting, stays hopeful. With the second-lowest voter turnout in Ontario's history during the recent provincial election, Reusch believes that many of those who stayed home for the provincial election will show up for federal polls - although she acknowledges it's challenging to be certain.
While there are "duelling forces" at play, observes Ottawa-based political theorist and commentator David Moscrop, author of the 2019 book "Too Dumb for Democracy?" Tired voters may face a contrast between the torrent of political news they've been subjected to and the historic significance of this election.
But the stakes might just be high enough to offset the fatigue, Moscrop suggests. Proposals of making Canada a 51st state and tariffs on Canadian goods have set the stage for an unprecedented election.
The Liberal party's dramatic comeback following Justin Trudeau's resignation and Mark Carney's support, alongside the national "Elbows Up!" unity movement disrupting polarization, suggests a tight race, according to CBC's poll tracker.
So, as Canadians prepare to cast their ballots, the question remains: will exhaustion prevail, or will the urgency of the election motivate Canadians to head to the polls?
- Arsenault, expressing disappointment, believes the ongoing political turmoil in the United States is negatively influencing the 2025 Federal Election in Canada.
- Several AI-driven studies suggest that consecutive elections could lead to a significant decrease in voter turnout, predicting a potential issue for the 2025 Federal Election.
- Amidst concerns of political fatigue and low voter turnout, experts note the economic implications and the importance of trade policies in the upcoming federal election.
- Science and technology are increasingly becoming critical factors in election campaigns, with Artificial Intelligence being potential game-changers in shaping the political landscape of Canada.
- Polarization in politics has been a significant concern for many Canadians, leading to movements like the national "Elbows Up!" unity movement attempting to bridge the divide and promote unity.
- In an era of general news dominated by war, elections, and policy-and-legislation, voters may find it challenging to separate essential political issues from sensationalized news.
- As traditional political parties face new challenges in the 2025 Federal Election, third-party organizations like Apathy is Boring are rallying support for increased youth voting and championing democratic participation.
