Trevor Greenway

The campaign is underway to find Canada’s next prime minister – and the Hills’ next MP.

On March 23, Prime Minister Mark Carney went to Rideau Hall and requested that Governor General Mary Simon dissolve Parliament, which triggered a spring election, with Canadians heading to the polls on April 28. 

The snap election call doesn’t leave a lot of time for candidates to pitch their platforms to constituents, and it will be a mad dash for Pontiac–Kitigan Zibi hopefuls to convince local voters that their plan is the best moving forward. 

It will be the shortest possible campaign allowed by Canadian law – just six weeks – with advance polls opening over the Easter weekend. 

Here in the Hills, The Low Down will bring you the low down on all your local candidates, information on how and where to vote, how to ensure you’re on the registered list of voters and other useful election information. 

2025 Federal Election – Pontiac–Kitigan Zibi riding

Election date: April 28, 2025

Advance Polls: Friday, April 18 – Monday, April 21

Where to vote: visit www.elections.ca on April 1 for polling station locations.

How to register: visit www.elections.ca and click on “check or update your registration.” Follow through the required steps and register online.

Voter requirements: 

• One piece of government-issued ID (driver’s licence or other government ID with photo and current address);

OR

• two pieces of ID that have your name; at least one must have your current address. (e.g. voter eligibility card and utility bill with current address);

OR

• If you do not have an ID, you must 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).

Keep picking up the Low Down in the coming weeks for more election coverage, where we hope to dig into party platforms with Q&As, reader questions, local initiatives and issues that affect us in the Hills. There will be plenty of issues to dig into with a housing shortage, a health crisis and a federal fight over religious symbols that is winding its way to the Supreme Court. The Low Down is your source for everything local this election. 

Meet your candidates:

Liberal Party of Canada – Sophie Chatel (incumbent)

• Gatineau resident
• Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Rural Development
• Chair, rural caucus

Conservative Party of Canada – Brian Nolan

• Chelsea resident
• Technology consultant
• Business leader for cannabis startups

NDP – Gilbert Whiteduck

• Kitigan Zibi resident
• Former chief, Kitigan Zibi
• Indigenous leader
• Executive-director, Gatineau Valley Historical Society
• Former teacher, guidance counsellor, school principal

Green Party of Canada – Claude Bertrand

• Masham resident
• Engineer
• Former RCAF pilot

People’s Party of Canada – Todd Hoffman

• Campbell’s Bay resident
• Former RCAF member
• Business owner
• High school teacher

*The Bloc Quebecois party has yet to announce a candidate for the Pontiac–Kitigan Zibi riding.