Elections Canada says more than 68 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the federal election -- more than 19.5 million people.

OTTAWA — OTTAWA - Elections Canada says more than 68 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in the federal election – more than 19.5 million people.

While this election was widely expected to see increased turnout, it did not surpass the record set in March 1958, when 79.4 per cent of eligible Canadians voted.

But the nearly 68.7 per cent turnout was the best since the 1993 federal election, which saw 69.6 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot.

Elections Canada says early estimates indicate 11 million people voted at their polling station or in their long-term care facility on election day.

The agency says nearly 7.3 million Canadians voted at advance polls while 1.2 million voted by special ballot.

Elections Canada does not gather demographics data so it’s not clear which groups turned out to vote, but it says postelection surveys can show which groups faced barriers to voting and what can be done to address them in future elections.

The Liberal party ended the election with 43.7 per cent of the total vote and 169 seats, while the Conservative party secured 41.3 per cent of the vote and 144 seats.

The Bloc Quebecois and the NDP both took 6.3 per cent of the vote, and will hold 22 and seven seats, respectively.

    • can@sh.itjust.works
      1·
      9 hours ago

      Just give $25.

      Edit: you know that would incentivize them to obstruct voting more right?

      • setVeryLoud(true);@lemmy.ca
        1·
        9 hours ago

        I… don’t see how a slap on the wrist for people who don’t vote would “obstruct” voting.

        It could also be $25 off your tax burden, but it’s less immediate and probably less effective.

        Btw it’s a thing in many other countries: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_voting

        The Wikipedia page also has excellent arguments for and against the practice.

    • walktheplank@lemmy.world
      1·
      11 hours ago

      The politicians and people of this country already keep me intentionally poor because I am disabled and from a lower class due to this disability. Now you want to charge me money, I certainly don’t have for not voting for someone who does absolutely nothing for me? That’s democracy all right.

      • setVeryLoud(true);@lemmy.ca
        1·
        10 hours ago

        Hey, I remember you! You’re the guy who seemingly spends all their free time telling all of Lemmy about how proud they are of not doing their civic duty.

        Democracy only works if people vote, you’re actively undermining democracy.

        Just vote. It’s free. Save $25.

        • walktheplank@lemmy.world
          1·
          10 hours ago

          I have to say this so much I have a copy paste now.

          I’m a disabled guy with a family. I live on less than half of what is considered extreme poverty for a single person in my area per year not including my wife’s income. I have no extra healthcare, dental or vision care and pay out of pocket even though I worked for ~20 years before my disability and was a part of a union. I am not disabled enough according to my government, but too disabled to work according to all medical professionals I have seen, so I get no more than basic CPP. I have chronic pain and neurological damage that affects Ballance and muscle control as well as my ability to walk somewhat and do basic tasks. But most days I am in public, I can walk and drive and from the outside look “normal” to most people.

          My wife works for the federal government in a public facing seasonal position. It is a contracted position now, that used to be permanent. This avoids unions, healthcare payments, full time employment, benefits and more. Again, she works for our federal government but there is not one politician suggesting that this is no better than what private industry does to people by treating them like wage slaves.

          There is no politician in this country that cares about me and my family. I have three choices on my federal ballot. The politicians would all rather I be dead. I can MAID whenever I like but I am not permitted respect or a decent life and neither are my kids. My wife doesn’t deserve a full time job or benefits that would really help pull us out of poverty even though she is highly educated in her field and uses it for her work for our government. Even if I could try to work my way out of my hole I lose all support when I hit a very low income threshold ($6900/year) and should I somehow work past that threshold by convincing a public employee to allow me, on a case by case basis, I can be assured to be watched extremely closely as if I were commiting a crime and having to report regularly not just on my taxes on a yearly basis like every other citizen.

          I have spoiled every single ballot I have cast for more than a decade in every single election at every single level of politics in Canada and I get derided for it. I voted against fascism this time and held my tongue but you better believe I’m on my MP already. I’m sure my email address will be banned internally and I highly doubt my calls and emails will ever get a response as they never have in the past no matter who was in power.

          People could give a fuck though. They prove it time and time again. Tell me again who I should vote for? And why I should give a fuck about you and your politicians? People have a lot to say but it’s all bullshit. They care about themselves.

          As of 2022 there were over 320,000 people on CPP disability in the country. It has risen significantly since then. That’s certainly not 22 million but we deserve just as others do.