Federal Elections

Canadian Citizenship Study Notes

Federal Elections in Canada

Canadians vote in elections for the people they want to represent them in the House of Commons.

  • Members of the House of Commons are called Members of Parliament (MPs).
  • Voters may re-elect existing MPs or choose new ones.
  • Federal elections must be held on the third Monday in October every four years following the most recent general election.
  • The Prime Minister may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election.

Electoral Districts

308 Electoral Districts

Canada is divided into 308 electoral districts.

Also Called

Ridings or constituencies.

One MP

Each electoral district elects one MP to represent the district and all Canadians in the House of Commons.

Canadian citizens who are 18 years old or older may run in a federal election. People who run for office are called candidates.

The candidate who receives the most votes becomes the MP for that electoral district.

Who Can Vote?

You are eligible to vote in a federal election or federal referendum if you are:
  1. A Canadian citizen
  2. At least 18 years old on voting day
  3. On the voters' list

National Register of Electors

The voters' lists used for federal elections and referendums are produced from the National Register of Electors by Elections Canada, a neutral agency of Parliament.

It is a permanent database of Canadian citizens 18 years of age or older who are qualified to vote in federal elections and referendums.

Voter Information Card

Once an election has been called, Elections Canada mails a voter information card to each elector whose name is in the National Register of Electors.

When

Shows when you vote.

Where

Shows where you vote.

Special Services

Provides a number to call if you require an interpreter or other special services.
Important: Even if you are not listed in the National Register of Electors or do not receive a voter information card, you can still be added to the voters' list, including on election day.

Secret Ballot

Your vote is secret.

Canadian law protects the right to a secret ballot.

  • No one can watch you vote.
  • No one should look at how you voted.
  • No one-including family members, your employer or union representative-can insist that you tell them how you voted.
  • You may choose to discuss how you voted.

After polling stations close, election officers count the ballots and the results are announced publicly.

After an Election

Ordinarily, the leader of the political party with the most seats in the House of Commons is invited by the Governor General to form the government.

Prime Minister

The party leader appointed by the Governor General becomes Prime Minister.

Majority Government

The party in power holds at least half of the seats in the House of Commons.

Minority Government

The party in power holds less than half of the seats.

Confidence of the House

The Prime Minister and the party in power can govern as long as they have the support or confidence of the majority of MPs.

A major issue such as the budget is considered a matter of confidence.

If the government loses a confidence vote: the party in power is defeated, which usually results in the Prime Minister asking the Governor General, on behalf of the Sovereign, to call an election.

Prime Minister & Cabinet

The Prime Minister chooses the ministers of the Crown, most of them from among members of the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers together are called the Cabinet.

Cabinet Responsibilities

Run federal government departments and make important decisions about how the country is governed.

Budget

Prepare the federal budget.

Laws

Propose most new laws.

Accountability

Their decisions can be questioned by all members of the House of Commons.

Opposition Parties

Political parties that are not in power are known as opposition parties.

Official Opposition
The opposition party with the most members in the House of Commons.

The role of opposition parties is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals.

Voting Procedures

1
Voter information card
Confirms your name is on the voters' list and states when and where you vote.
2
Didn't get a card?
Call your local elections office to ensure you are on the voters' list. If you do not have the number, call Elections Canada.
3
Advance poll or special ballot
You can vote before election day at advance polls or by special ballot.
4
Election day
Go to your polling station. Bring your voter information card and proof of identity and address.
5
Mark the ballot
Mark an "X" in the circle next to your chosen candidate.
6
Voting is secret
Go behind the screen, mark your ballot, fold it and present it to poll officials.
7
Ballot box
The poll official tears off the ballot number and gives the ballot back to you to deposit in the ballot box.
8
Election results
When polls close, every ballot is counted and results are made public.

Other Levels of Government

Federal - MPs

Responsibilities

National Defence - Foreign Policy - Citizenship - Policing - Criminal Justice - International Trade - Aboriginal Affairs

Shared: Immigration - Agriculture - Environment

Provincial & Territorial

Elected officials

MLAs, MNAs, MPPs or MHAs

Responsibilities: Education - Health Care - Natural Resources - Highways - Policing (Ontario, Quebec) - Property and Civil Rights

Shared: Immigration - Agriculture - Environment

Municipal / Local

Elected officials

Mayor or Reeve - Councillors or Aldermen

Responsibilities: Social and Community Health - Recycling Programs - Transportation and Utilities - Snow Removal - Policing - Firefighting - Emergency Services

First Nations Government

First Nations have band chiefs and councillors with major responsibilities on First Nations reserves, including:

Housing

Schools

Other Services


Provincial, regional and national Aboriginal organizations also provide a voice for First Nations, Metis and Inuit people in their relationships with federal, provincial and territorial governments.

Quick Memorization Sheet

Federal Election

308 ridings

Each elects one MP.

Voting Eligibility

Citizen + 18 + Voters' List

Secret Ballot

Your vote is private

Majority Government

At least half the seats

Minority Government

Less than half the seats

Official Opposition

Largest opposition party

Must-Know Facts
  • 18 - Minimum voting age for federal elections.
  • 308 - Electoral districts (ridings/constituencies) in the guide.
  • Most votes - Candidate becomes the MP for the electoral district.
  • Third Monday in October every four years - Scheduled federal election timing under the guide's stated legislation.
  • Elections Canada - Neutral agency of Parliament responsible for producing voters' lists from the National Register of Electors.
  • Secret ballot - No one can insist that you reveal how you voted.
  • Majority - Party holds at least half of House of Commons seats.
  • Minority - Party holds less than half.
  • Confidence - Government needs the support/confidence of the majority of MPs to govern.