Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Michael Reeve

CANADA VOTES 2025

Campaigns over, Kamloops voters head to the polls on general election day

Apr 28, 2025 | 3:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — The federal election campaign has culminated in general voting day Monday, April 28.

From the day the writ was dropped, the Mark Carney-led Liberals have sat atop the polls, predicted to form a majority government.

“It’s partly giving voters a choice of either party platform and leader,” said Robert Hanlon, TRU political science associate professor. “In this case, I think we are seeing the Liberals attempt to say they have the right leader for the job over the next four years. The party platform has been questionable at times and over the past decade of Liberal party leadership.”

Hanlon saw the Conservatives pivot midway through the campaign, helping them close the gap.

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“They realized that it wasn’t resonating enough. They needed to find ways to distance themselves more from American-style populism and conservatism, and find their own unique approach that was also strong at pushing back against the southern threat of the 51st state, as well as tariffs,” added Hanlon.

On the streets of Kamloops Monday afternoon (April 28), voters were encouraging others to have their say.

“I want us to stand up again strong, together, united. I don’t want us to be hating on each other anymore, tired of that. We can only talk until we are blue in the face, but this blue is turning into a wave and I’m praying, praying people wake up and ask a question.”

“I think it’s really important. I think it’s one of the most important things of living in a country like Canada, especially for people my age to learn to participate whenever they can.”

“I think it’s important for everybody to get out and speak their voice and have their opinions count, whatever that opinion might be.”

With a clear two-horse race, Hanlon is looking to the east — and specifically Ontario — where it’s more than likely the election will be decided. He feels it will be a close contest.

“If it does go a certain overwhelming way of one party and the election is kind of decided before the votes are even counted in B.C. and Alberta,” said Hanlon, “in some kind of context there could be a bit of a pushback and more calls of western alienation being one of the concerns — if it’s really a two party race at the moment.”

Atlantic Canada is usually a Liberal stronghold, so Hanlon says Conservative supporters should be looking for a few flips to signal a strong chance across the nation.