Federal Elections
Electing the House of Commons
- Members of the House of Commons are also known as members of Parliament or MPs.
- 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.
- Canada is divided into 308 electoral districts, also known as ridings or constituencies.
- An electoral district is a geographical area represented by one MP. Citizens elect one MP who represents them, as well as all Canadians.
- Canadian citizens who are 18 years old or older may run in a federal election. Those who run are called candidates.
- The candidate who receives the most votes becomes the MP for that electoral district.
Voting
- You are eligible to vote if you are a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old on voting day, and on the voters' list.
- 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 listing when and where you vote.
- You can still be added to the voters' list at any time, including on election day.
- Canadian law secures the 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 union representative — has the right to insist that you tell them how you voted.
- Mark an "X" in the circle next to the name of the candidate of your choice, then fold the ballot and present it to the poll officials.
After an election
- The leader of the party with the most seats is invited by the Governor General to form the government, and becomes Prime Minister.
- If the party in power holds at least half of the seats, this is a majority government. If it holds less than half, this is a minority government.
- A vote on a major issue such as the budget is a matter of confidence.
- If a majority votes against a major government decision, the party in power is defeated, usually leading the Prime Minister to ask the Governor General to call an election.
- The Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers are called the Cabinet. They prepare the budget and propose most new laws.
- Cabinet ministers are responsible for running the federal government departments, and their decisions can be questioned by all members of the House of Commons.
- Parties not in power are opposition parties. The one with the most members is the Official Opposition. Their role is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals.
Other levels of government
- Municipal councils pass laws called "by-laws" that affect only the local community.
- A municipal council usually includes a mayor (or reeve) and councillors or aldermen.
- Municipalities are normally responsible for urban or regional planning, streets and roads, sanitation, snow removal, firefighting, ambulance and emergency services, recreation facilities, public transit and some local health and social services.
- Provincial, territorial and municipal elections are held by secret ballot, but the rules are not the same as for federal elections.
- The First Nations have band chiefs and councillors with major responsibilities on reserves, including housing, schools and other services.
Question 1 of 10
If you do not receive a voter information card, can you still vote?
Correct answer: Yes — you can be added to the voters' list at any time, including on election day
Source from the guide
“Even if you choose not to be listed in the National Register of Electors or do not receive a voter information card, you can still be added to the voters' list at any time, including on election day.”
Yes. You can be added to the voters' list at any time, including on election day.
Discover Canada · about page 30Discover Canada — Large Print · page 61
Question 2 of 10
What can you do if you cannot or do not wish to vote on election day?
Correct answer: Vote at the advance polls or by special ballot
Source from the guide
“If you cannot or do not wish to vote on election day, you can vote at the advance polls or by special ballot.”
Vote at the advance polls or by special ballot. The dates and location are on your voter information card.
Discover Canada · about page 32Discover Canada — Large Print · page 64
Question 3 of 10
What does the poll official do before you deposit your ballot?
Correct answer: Tears off the ballot number and hands it back to you
Source from the guide
“The poll official will tear off the ballot number and give your ballot back to you to deposit in the ballot box.”
Tears off the ballot number and gives your ballot back to you to deposit in the ballot box.
Discover Canada · about page 32Discover Canada — Large Print · page 65
Question 4 of 10
What should you bring to the polling station on election day?
Correct answer: Your voter information card and proof of identity and address
Source from the guide
“Bring this card and proof of your identity and address to the polling station.”
Your voter information card and proof of your identity and address.
Discover Canada · about page 32Discover Canada — Large Print · page 64
Question 5 of 10
What are the laws passed by a municipal council called?
Correct answer: By-laws
Source from the guide
“Municipal governments usually have a council that passes laws called "by-laws" that affect only the local community.”
By-laws. They affect only the local community.
Discover Canada · about page 32Discover Canada — Large Print · page 66
Question 6 of 10
Who makes up the Cabinet?
Correct answer: The Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers
Source from the guide
“The Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers are called the Cabinet and they make important decisions about how the country is governed.”
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet ministers. They prepare the budget and propose most new laws.
Discover Canada · about page 30Discover Canada — Large Print · page 63
Question 7 of 10
What two things does the Cabinet do?
Correct answer: Prepare the budget and propose most new laws
Source from the guide
“They prepare the budget and propose most new laws. Their decisions can be questioned by all members of the House of Commons.”
Prepares the budget and proposes most new laws. Their decisions can be questioned by all members of the House of Commons.
Discover Canada · about page 30Discover Canada — Large Print · page 63
Question 8 of 10
What are Cabinet ministers responsible for?
Correct answer: Running the federal government departments
Source from the guide
“Cabinet ministers are responsible for running the federal government departments.”
Running the federal government departments. The Prime Minister chooses them, most from among members of the House of Commons.
Discover Canada · about page 30Discover Canada — Large Print · page 63
Question 9 of 10
For how long do the Prime Minister and the party in power run the government?
Correct answer: As long as they have the confidence of the majority of MPs
Source from the guide
“The Prime Minister and the party in power run the government as long as they have the support or confidence of the majority of the MPs.”
As long as they have the support or confidence of the majority of the MPs.
Discover Canada · about page 30Discover Canada — Large Print · page 62
Question 10 of 10
Who may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election?
Correct answer: The Prime Minister
Source from the guide
“The Prime Minister may ask the Governor General to call an earlier election.”
The Prime Minister.
Discover Canada · about page 30Discover Canada — Large Print · page 60
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