Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre lost his Carleton seat amid Ontario’s highest voter turnout, as Ottawa ridings led engagement and Toronto lagged behind.
In a striking political twist, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre lost his long-held seat in Carleton, the riding that also posted Ontario’s highest voter turnout in this week’s federal election. According to Elections Canada, a remarkable 81.57% of eligible voters in Carleton cast ballots—surpassing turnout in all other ridings across the province.
The result marks a dramatic end to Poilievre’s 21-year reign in the riding, as Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy pulled off a surprise upset. Despite Poilievre’s national profile and a historically active electorate—74.4% turned out in the 2021 election—voters in Carleton chose change.
Ottawa Region Dominates Turnout Rankings
Carleton wasn’t the only Ottawa-area riding to make waves. Kanata (77.99%), Ottawa Centre (77.49%), and Nepean (77.47%) rounded out the top four ridings for voter engagement in Ontario. In Nepean, Prime Minister Mark Carney cruised to victory, riding a wave of high enthusiasm in the capital.
Across Ontario, voter participation reached a robust 69.1%, well above the 45.4% turnout recorded in the provincial election just months earlier. Nationally, 68.7% of Canadians cast a ballot, highlighting elevated interest in the 2025 federal contest.
Low Turnout Plagues Toronto Ridings
While Ottawa ridings set the pace for voter enthusiasm, parts of Toronto told a different story. Four of the five lowest-turnout ridings were located in the provincial capital:
- Humber River—Black Creek (55.25%)
- Etobicoke North (55.99%)
- York South—Weston—Etobicoke (57.53%)
- Scarborough Woburn (59.36%)
Windsor West was the only non-Toronto riding to break into the bottom five, with 58.13% turnout.
Despite the lower participation, Liberal MP Judy Sgro easily retained her seat in Humber River—Black Creek. That riding has seen persistently low engagement, with just 48.9% turnout in the 2021 federal election.
Why Turnout Varied So Widely
According to Western University political scientist Laura Stephenson, voter interest plays a decisive role in turnout numbers. “The biggest thing that matters is interest in the election,” she told Global News. “This was an interesting election. We saw people being motivated for all sorts of reasons.”
One key motivator: high-profile candidates. Both Carney and Poilievre ran in Ottawa-area ridings, which likely helped drive interest. “The presence of a party leader on the ballot gives voters a stronger reason to engage,” Stephenson said.
Other factors, including competitive races, local campaigning efforts, and even visual cues like campaign signs, also contribute. “It might sound silly, but signs actually make a difference,” Stephenson added. “They build name recognition and can signal whether a race is close.”
Election Enthusiasm Marks Political Turning Point
The 2025 federal election featured tight races, record candidate fields, and a generational shift in voting patterns—all of which may have helped boost turnout. With the Liberals winning 169 seats, just shy of a majority, and the Conservatives securing 144, this election was seen by many as pivotal.
For Poilievre, the loss in a riding known for strong voter engagement adds sting to an already disappointing outcome. For Carney, it’s a sign of momentum—but also a reminder that voter enthusiasm can cut both ways.
