Election 2025: Campaign Roundup - Day 28

Welcome to Day 28 of Canada Minute’s 2025 Campaign Roundup!

With the 2025 Canadian federal election now finally underway, we'll be bringing you daily updates on all the policy proclamations, platform promises, and political point-scoring from the campaign trail.

Campaign Roundup - Day 28:

• Canadians reported long wait times at polling stations on the first day of advance voting, with some voters waiting over two hours to cast their ballots. Advance polls will remain open until April 21st at 9:00 pm. Elections Canada is adjusting staffing at busy locations to address the delays. All of the information you need to locate your polling station, get information on what to bring with you to vote, and learn about your candidates is available on the Elections Canada website.
  
  
• The Liberal Party released a late-stage election platform promising $129 billion in new spending and tax cuts over four years, including major investments in infrastructure, defence, and an IVF subsidy. The plan would raise the federal deficit from $46.8 billion to $62 billion this year, with a promise to balance the operating budget by 2028 while continuing capital deficits.
  
  
• The NDP unveiled a $227.7 billion platform that would add $48 billion to the federal deficit over four years, offset by $184.5 billion in proposed new revenues including a wealth tax. The plan focuses on health care, affordability, housing, climate action, and protecting Canadian sovereignty from US influence. Leader Jagmeet Singh pledged to eliminate the consumer carbon tax, introduce universal pharmacare and mental health coverage, and move Canada to a proportional representation voting system.
  
  
• Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is proposing changes to allow judges to mandate drug treatment instead of jail for non-violent offenders with minor drug possession charges. He also plans to require rehabilitation programs in prisons for more serious offenders, arguing that some individuals with severe addiction need intervention to pursue recovery.
  
  
• Maxime Bernier, Leader of the People’s Party of Canada, made the rounds on podcasts. He spoke to Charlie Kirk and Tucker Carlson. Poilievre and Carney also spent time on podcasts, with Poilievre speaking to Shane Parrish and Carney sitting down with Scott Galloway.