ArtsVote 2025

The 45th federal general election will be held on Monday, April 28, 2025. This is an opportunity to educate candidates (one of which will be your MP) on issues relevant to visual artists and participate in the selection of Canada’s government.

Voting is an essential right, and our democratic future depends on informed, engaged citizens of all ages. The race is tight, and every single vote will matter in this election.  Even in ridings where the result seems certain, anything is possible. You are empowered to make the arts a priority.

Actions you can take

• Vote!

  Information on how to vote in 2025 can be found here.

  Register before you go to vote
  Key federal election dates

• Download and use the Canadian Arts Coalition’s election kit:

  Election kit

  The kit includes a poster to put in your window and key messages and questions to ask candidates at your door or at debates.

• Watch Leadership and Culture Debates:

  • An all-leaders’ debate is an essential event for voters. The two debates will be held at the Maison de Radio-Canada in Montréal on Wednesday, April 16 at 6 p.m. EDT (in French via livestream) and Thursday, April 17 at 7 p.m. EDT (in English via livestream).

  • The Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and OCAD University are hosting an English-language culture debate with candidates from the main political parties in Toronto on April 16 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Register here to attend or watch the live stream on OCAD U’s YouTube channel.

• Get involved in local debates:

  Read our key messages, attend a debate in your local community, and ask the candidates questions, such as: 

  • How will your party support arts and culture nationally and in our community?

  • In the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the government announced its intention to amend the Copyright Act to create an Artist’s Resale Right in Canada, ensuring Canadian visual artists benefit from future sales of their work. Do you intend to support this, and if so, how?

  • Will your party support the 1% commitment of federal spending towards arts, culture, and heritage?

• Use social media:

  Elevate issues important to you, your practice, and your community. Use the hashtags #ArtsVote #Votepourlesarts #Elxn45 #cdnpoli #onepercentforthearts #artmatters and tag @carfacnational @artscoalitionca. 

  Tag and connect with the Federal party leaders and your local candidates:

  Yves-Francois Blanchet (Bloc Québécois) : X Instagram Facebook  Bluesky

  Mark Carney (Liberal Party of Canada): X Instagram Facebook Bluesky

  Elizabeth May (Co-Leader, Green Party of Canada): X Instagram Facebook Bluesky

  Jonathan Pedneault (Co-Leader, Green Party of Canada): X Instagram Facebook Bluesky

  Pierre Poilievre (Conservative Party of Canada) : X Instagram Facebook

  Jagmeet Singh (New Democratic Party of Canada): X Instagram Facebook Bluesky