Welcome to the First Nation Federal Election Guide 2025. In the spirit of unity and active participation in the democratic process, we are delighted to provide you with comprehensive information and resources to empower you as you prepare to exercise your right to vote in the upcoming Federal Election.
ELECTION DAY: APRIL 28, 2025
Campus Voting: April 12 – 16
Advanced Voting: April 18 – 21, 2025
Deadline to Vote by Mail: April 22
First Nations voices are strong, and our votes are powerful tools to influence the future of our Nations, our families, and the lands we call home.
This upcoming federal election is an opportunity for First Nations citizens to engage directly in shaping the direction of our governments. It is a time to assess the commitments of each candidate and party, ask the hard questions, and make informed decisions grounded in our values, priorities, and inherent rights.
This guide is intended to support First Nations citizens in navigating the voting process. It includes key information on how to register, where and how to vote, and how to assess candidates and their platforms. It is one of many tools to help ensure that First Nations perspectives are heard, respected, and acted upon at every level of government.
First Nations have always been politically active and deeply engaged in the matters that affect our Nations. We encourage citizens to talk with family and community members, share knowledge, and participate in the electoral process in ways that reflect our strength, unity, and Nation-to-Nation principles.
Thank you for taking the time to review this guide. Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Let us continue to lead the way forward – together.
PARTY PLATFORMS
Below are the top 5 political parties in Canada, click on each to view their website to learn more about their platforms.
Here are some resources to learn more about each party:
Indigenous Youth Roots – IYR Explains Canada’s Major Federal Political Parties
APTN – Election 2021: A guide to the federal parties’ Indigenous platforms
CBC – How do the main parties compare on these issues? or Compare the election promises of Canada’s major parties
The Narwhal – Election 2025: a voter’s guide to carbon taxes, natural resources and other key environment issues in Canada
Canadian Centre for Housing Rights – The 2025 federal election: A roundup of housing and homelessness plans
Who can vote?
To vote in the federal election, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen
- be at least 18 years old on election day
- prove your identity and address
Are you registered to vote?
Register online by April 22 at 6:00 p.m. (local time) to receive your voter card: https://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=reg&document=index&lang=e
**You can also register at the polls on voting day.**
Most Canadians who are eligible to vote are already registered in the National Register of Electors. If you’re registered, you should get a voter information card in the mail that tells you where and when you can vote.
To check if you’re registered or to register, use the Online Voter Registration Service or call Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868.
If you are not registered, you can:
Register before you go to vote
- Through the Online Voter Registration Service by April 22.
- In person at your local Elections Canada office by April 22.
Register when you go to vote
- At your assigned polling station on election day.
- At your assigned polling station on advance polling days.
- At any Elections Canada office across the country by April 22.
On April 18, 19, 20 and 21, advance polls are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. across the country.
To find which riding you are located in, check out the map of Manitoba ridings here.
(City of Winnipeg Ridings: Map.)
Where do I go to vote?
On election day (from 9 AM to 9 PM), you can vote at any polling place in your electoral division.
Find your nearest polling station here: https://www.elections.ca/Scripts/VIS/FindED?L=e&QID=-1&PAGEID=20
If you are registered, you will receive an info card in the mail from Elections Canada telling you where you go to vote. If you misplaced your card, look up your local poll station here using the link above and bring ID.
During advanced poll dates, look up your polling stations here using the name of your region and electoral division using the link above as well.
See document below for the list of First Nations in Manitoba that have confirmed polling station:
What ID do I need?
Option 1: Show one of these pieces of ID
- your driver’s licence
- any other card issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial/territorial or local) with your photo, name and current address
Option 2: Show two pieces of ID
Both must have your name and at least one must have your current address.
Examples:
- voter information card and bank statement
- utility bill and student ID card
Don’t have these? No problem!
See the list of accepted ID for Option 2.
Option 3: If you don’t have ID
You can still vote if you declare your identity and address in writing and have someone who knows you and who is assigned to your polling station vouch for you.
The voucher must be able to prove their identity and address. A person can vouch for only one person (except in long-term care facilities).
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Please note that if someone is unhoused and does not have a physical address, there are still options available:
Letters of confirmation
- letter from a public curator, public guardian or public trustee
- letter of confirmation of residence from a First Nations band or reserve or an Inuit local authority
- letter of confirmation of residence, letter of stay, admission form, or statement of benefits from one of the following designated establishments:
- student residence
- seniors’ residence
- long-term care facility
- shelter
- soup kitchen
- a community-based residential facility
For more information on ID Requirements, please visit https://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=id&document=index&lang=e
Election Jobs!
To work as a poll worker, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen;
- be at least 16 years old on election day;
- be non-partisan and refrain from any partisan political activity during the term of your employment.
INDIGENOUS ELDER AND YOUTH PROGRAM
Elections Canada is hiring Indigenous Elders and youth to offer a welcoming presence and help electors navigate the voting process at the polls. This service is offered in polling stations that primarily serve Indigenous electors and is subject to the availability of participants. Since the 2019 federal election, we have expanded our efforts to increase participation in this program.
- Offer interpretation services in the language of the community, if the elector is not comfortable in French or English
- Greet electors arriving at the polling place
- Help explain to electors the voting process, including registration procedures
- Answer electors’ questions
- Help with voting procedures, such as reading the ballot before it is handed to an elector
Other job opportunities include: Deputy Returning Officer, Central Poll Supervisor, Registration Officer, Information Officer, and more.
For more info on jobs available, visit their website here.
Information and resources:
Elections Canada Website – The official site for information on federal elections, voting processes, and updates.
Elections Canada – Voter Information Service – A tool to find details about your electoral district, including maps and candidate lists. During an election, it also displays advance and election day polling locations, your local Elections Canada office address, and job opportunities for poll workers.
Elections Canada – Voter Identification – Elections Canada provides voter information in English, French, and various First Nations languages:
Community Leader Handbook – A resource for First Nations electors with information on when, where, and how to register and vote in a federal election:
Elections Canada – Guide to Registering and Voting in a Federal Election – A step-by-step guide covering everything you need to know about voter registration and the voting process in a federal election.
Elections Canada – Ways to Vote – A resource to learn about the different ways you can cast your ballot in a federal election.