Significance of Working Class Voters

The upcoming 2025 Canadian federal election represents a critical point for the working class. Generally speaking, the working class refers to people who work in a non-management and non-professional job, a majority of which are over-credentialed for the job they have (2). In 2022, 6.5 million Canadians were in the working class (3).  The working class is increasingly represented in service industries including retail, accommodation, and food services (3). By casting your ballot, you can ensure the federal government is adequately addressing the issues that matter to you most, including childcare, disability benefits, taxes, trade, and minimum wage.

Key Issues

Working class people in Canada are concerned about affordability and the cost of living, inflation, healthcare, and employment security (4). 

• Many working class families have experienced financial strain in recent years with 50% of Canadians living paycheque to paycheque (5). Canada’s inflation rate was 1.9% in January 2025 (up from 1.8% in December 2024), with transportation costs rising sharply (3.4%) due to higher oil and gas prices (6).
• Creating well-paying jobs and better opportunities for the working class is crucial, but the labour market remains soft, meaning the supply of labour is greater than the demand for workers. The current soft labour market also shows signs of slowing wage growth (7).

Barriers and Challenges

“I can’t afford to take time off from work to vote on election day.” 

• Those casting votes on election day are legally entitled to three consecutive hours to cast their vote (8). If your hours of work do not allow three consecutive hours for voting during poll times, your employer must give you time off (8). 
• Increasingly, Canadians are also choosing alternatives to voting in-person on election day. 
• For example, you can opt to vote by mail, but you have to register by 6pm ET Tuesday April 22 and your ballot must be received by Elections Canada by 6pm ET on Monday April 28.
• You can also vote early at any Elections Canada office across the country until 6pm on Tuesday, April 22. 
• You can opt to visit the advance polls on Friday, April 18; Saturday, April 19; Sunday, April 20; and Monday, April 21. 

“I don’t know how voting and elections work” 

• Key information about registering and voting can be found online through platforms offered by Elections Canada and Apathy is Boring. Shake Up The Establishment also offers a resource guide on voting in the upcoming federal election. 
• Elections Canada also conducts a Voter Information Campaign  which offers concise, reliable, and accessible information about the voter process to all Canadians.  

“My vote doesn’t really matter. The federal government doesn’t care about my interests anyway.”

• In 2021, 32% of eligible Canadians who did not vote said not being interested in politics was the reason they didn’t cast a ballot (9). Elected officials are there to represent YOU! Even if the candidate you support doesn’t win, seeing what policy and platforms get increased support shows decision-makers what issues voters care about.
• While it may feel like governments are more responsive to the wealthy, when more people, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, show up to vote, it can balance the scale and give everyone a fairer say (10).