Chapter 6: Federal Elections – Key Points to Remember

You can find the official study guide for Federal Elections on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Federal Elections

In Canada, the democratic process involves citizens casting their votes in elections to select their representatives in the House of Commons. These representatives, also known as Members of Parliament (MPs), may be re-elected or replaced with new ones in each election cycle.

Federal elections are mandated by law to occur on the third Monday of October every four years, subsequent to the latest general election. However, an earlier election can be requested by the Prime Minister through the Governor General.

The country is partitioned into 308 distinct electoral districts, often referred to as ridings or constituencies. Each of these districts is represented by an MP in the House of Commons. This MP is elected by the citizens residing within the district to represent not only them but all Canadians.

Eligibility to run in a federal election is granted to Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old. These individuals are known as candidates, and an electoral district may have multiple candidates vying for the MP position.

Within each electoral district, citizens vote for their preferred candidate and associated political party. The candidate securing the highest number of votes is then appointed as the MP for that particular district.

Test your knowledge on Canada’s Electoral Process.

Voting

One of the benefits of being a Canadian citizen is the entitlement to participate in the democratic process through voting. Eligibility for voting in federal elections or participating in federal referendums is determined by the following criteria:

• Being a Canadian citizen
• Being at least 18 years old on the day of voting
• Being registered on the voters’ list

The voters’ lists for federal elections and referendums are compiled from the National Register of Electors by Elections Canada, an impartial parliamentary agency. This register is a permanent database of Canadian citizens aged 18 or older who are eligible to vote in federal elections and referendums.

Upon the announcement of an election, Elections Canada dispatches a voter information card to each elector listed in the National Register of Electors. This card provides details about when and where to vote, as well as contact information for requesting an interpreter or other special services.

Even if you opt not to be included in the National Register of Electors or if you do not receive a voter information card, you can still register on the voters’ list at any time, including on election day itself.

To cast your vote on election day or at advance polls, you should visit the polling station specified on your voter information card.

Test your knowledge on Voting in Canada.

Secret Ballot

The law in Canada guarantees the confidentiality of your vote, ensuring that your voting process cannot be observed by anyone, and no one is permitted to see your voting choice.

While you have the option to share your voting choice with others, it’s important to note that no one, including relatives, employers, or union representatives, can demand to know how you voted.

As soon as the polling stations are closed, the ballots are counted by election officers. The results are then promptly broadcasted on radio and television networks, as well as published in newspapers.

Test your knowledge on Secret Ballot.

After an Election

Typically, following an election, the leader of the political party with the majority of seats in the House of Commons is invited by the Governor General to form a government.

Once appointed by the Governor General, this leader assumes the role of Prime Minister. If the governing party controls at least half of the seats in the House of Commons, it is referred to as a majority government. Conversely, if it controls less than half, it is known as a minority government.

The Prime Minister and their party govern as long as they maintain the confidence or support of most MPs. Votes on significant issues such as the budget are considered matters of confidence.

If a majority of House of Commons members vote against a major government decision, it results in the defeat of the governing party, typically leading to the Prime Minister requesting the Governor General to call an election on behalf of the Sovereign.

The Prime Minister selects Cabinet ministers, primarily from members of the House of Commons. These ministers are tasked with overseeing federal government departments.

Collectively known as the Cabinet, the Prime Minister and Cabinet ministers make crucial decisions regarding the country’s governance. They prepare the budget and propose most new laws. Their decisions are subject to scrutiny by all members of the House of Commons.

Parties not in power are referred to as opposition parties. The opposition party with the most seats in the House of Commons is designated as the Official Opposition or Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. The role of these opposition parties is to constructively challenge or seek improvements to government proposals.

Currently, three major political parties are represented in the House of Commons: the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, and the New Democratic Party.

Test your knowledge on Post Election Process in Canada.

Procedure for Voting During an Election Period

1. Voter Information Card

Electors listed in the National Register of Electors will receive a voter information card. This card verifies your inclusion on the voters’ list and provides details about when and where to vote.

2. Non-receipt of Voter Information Card

If you do not receive a voter information card, contact your local elections office to confirm your registration on the voters’ list. If you do not have the contact details, reach out to Elections Canada in Ottawa at 1-800-463-6868.

3. Advance Poll and Special Ballot

If you are unable or prefer not to vote on election day, you have the option to vote at advance polls or by special ballot. The dates and venue are indicated on your voter information card.

4. Election Day

On election day, visit your designated polling station. The location is specified on your voter information card. Remember to bring this card along with proof of your identity and address.

5. Ballot Marking

Place an “X” in the circle adjacent to the name of your preferred candidate.

6. Confidentiality of Voting

Your vote is confidential. You will be asked to go behind a screen to mark your ballot. After marking, fold it and present it to the poll officials.

7. The Ballot Box

The poll official will remove the ballot number and return your ballot for you to place in the ballot box.

8. Election Results

Upon closure of the polls, all ballots are counted and the results are publicly announced. You can view the results on television or on the Elections Canada website.

Test your knowledge on Voting Procedures During an Election Period.

Additional Government Levels in Canada

Local or municipal government holds significant influence in the lives of Canadian citizens. Typically, a municipal government comprises a council that enacts local laws, known as “by-laws”. The council generally includes a mayor (or reeve) and councillors or aldermen.

Municipalities usually oversee urban or regional planning, maintenance of streets and roads, sanitation services (like garbage disposal), snow removal, firefighting, ambulance and other emergency services, recreational facilities, public transit, and certain local health and social services. Most major urban areas have their own municipal police forces.

Elections at the provincial, territorial, and municipal levels are conducted via secret ballot. However, the regulations differ from those governing federal elections. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the voting rules for provincial, territorial, and local elections to effectively exercise your voting rights.

The First Nations communities are led by band chiefs and councillors who shoulder significant responsibilities on First Nations reserves. These responsibilities encompass areas such as housing, education, and various other services.

Numerous Aboriginal organizations operate at provincial, regional, and national levels, serving as advocates for the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people in their interactions with federal, provincial, and territorial governments.

Government	Elected Officials	Some Responsibilities
Federal	Members of Parliament (MPs)	National Defence, Foreign Policy, Citizenship, Policing, Criminal Justice, International Trade, Aboriginal Affairs, Immigration (shared), Agriculture (shared), Environment (shared)
Provincial and Territorial	Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) or Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) or Members of the Provincial Parliament (MPPs) or Members of the House of Assembly (MHAs)	Education, Health Care, Natural Resources, Highways, Policing (Ontario, Quebec), Property and Civil Rights, Immigration (shared), Agriculture (shared), Environment (shared)
Municipal (local)	Mayor or Reeve, Councillors or Aldermen	Social and Community Health, Recycling Programs, Transportation and Utilities, Snow Removal, Policing, Firefighting, Emergency Services

Test your knowledge on Other Levels of Government in Canada.

Know your Government

Federal Government

• Head of State is His Majesty King Charles III.
• The representative of the Queen/King of Canada, the Governor General, is Mary Simon.
• The Head of Government, the Prime Minister, is Justin Trudeau.
• The name of the political party in power is the Liberal Party of Canada.
• The name of the Leader of the Opposition is Pierre Poilievre.
• The name of the party representing Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition is the Conservative Party.
• The names of the other opposition parties and leaders are: New Democratic Party led by Jagmeet Singh, and Bloc Quebecois led by Yves-François Blanchet.

Provincial Government

Ontario

Québec

Territorial Government

• The name of the Commissioner, who represents the federal government in my territory, is
• The name of the Premier is
• The name of my territorial representative is

Image Sources

• Elizabeth Dowdeswell:LGOntario from Ontario, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
• Doug Ford: Andrew Scheer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
• J. Michel Doyon: Unknown authorUnknown author photographer for US Embassy Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
• François Legault: Lea-Kim Chateauneuf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons