The Impact of the 2023 Wildfires on Subnational Elections in Canada

The increased frequency and severity of natural hazards in recent years presents challenges to political institutions worldwide. For democracies, emergencies such as wildfires can substantially affect an electoral management body’s (EMB) capacity to administer free and fair elections.

In this case study, two jurisdictions in Canada are examined—Alberta and the Northwest Territories—whose general elections were affected by wildfires in 2023.