In a federal election, Canadians vote for the people who will represent them in the House of Commons as members of Parliament (MPs). This section walks through who can vote and run, how the secret ballot works, what happens once the votes are counted, and how the other levels of government — provincial, municipal and First Nations — fit in.
The basicsHow federal elections work
Canada is divided into 308 electoral districts — also called ridings or constituencies. Each district is a geographical area whose citizens elect one MP to the House of Commons, and the candidate who receives the most votes wins that seat.
Under legislation passed by Parliament, federal elections are held on the third Monday in October every four years after the most recent general election. The Prime Minister may, however, ask the Governor General to call an earlier election. Canadian citizens who are 18 or older may run for office; people who do so are called candidates.
EligibilityWho can vote
Voters' lists are produced from the National Register of Electors by Elections Canada, a neutral agency of Parliament. Once an election is called, Elections Canada mails a voter information card to each elector in the Register.
Remember this
- You are eligible to vote in a federal election or referendum if you are a Canadian citizen
- You must be at least 18 years old on voting day
- You must be on the voters' list — though you can be added at any time, including on election day
Your privacyThe secret ballot
Canadian law secures your right to a secret ballot: no one can watch you vote, and no one should look at how you voted. No one — not family members, your employer, or a union representative — has the right to insist that you tell them how you voted.
Immediately after the polling stations close, election officers count the ballots, and the results are announced on radio and television and in the newspapers.
Step by stepHow to cast your vote
If you cannot or do not wish to vote on election day, you can vote at the advance polls or by special ballot. If you do not receive a voter information card, call your local elections office — the Elections Canada number in Ottawa is 1-800-463-6868, and the website is www.elections.ca.
Go behind a screen so your vote stays secret.
Mark an 'X' in the circle next to the name of the candidate of your choice.
Fold your ballot and present it to the poll officials.
Forming governmentWhat happens 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 and becomes the Prime Minister. If that party holds at least half of the seats it is a majority government; if it holds less than half, it is a minority government.
The Prime Minister chooses the ministers of the Crown, mostly from members of the House of Commons; together the Prime Minister and these ministers form the Cabinet. Parties not in power are the opposition parties, and the one with the most members is the Official Opposition, or Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition.
Remember this
- The three major federal political parties are the Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party, and the Liberal Party.
Beyond OttawaOther levels of government
Local or municipal government plays an important role: councils pass laws called by-laws that affect only the local community. A municipal council usually includes a mayor (or a reeve) along with councillors or aldermen.
Municipal responsibilities include urban and regional planning, streets and roads, sanitation, snow removal, firefighting, ambulance and emergency services, recreation, public transit, and some local health and social services; most major urban centres have their own municipal police forces.
Provincial, territorial and municipal elections are also held by secret ballot, but the rules are not the same as those for federal elections. On reserves, First Nations have band chiefs and councillors who carry major responsibilities including housing, schools, and other services.
Now put it to the test
You've read the guide. Try 38 practice questions on Federal Elections — one at a time, with instant feedback on every answer.