Voting gives Canadians a voice on issues and decisions that will impact all of their lives. To make an educated and informed vote, it’s important to understand how the Canadian government works and how we elect the government in the federal election.
How the Canadian Parliament works
Our system of government is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, which means we recognize the Queen or King of England as our Head of State and the Prime Minister as the Head of Government (also known as Parliament). There are three parts to Canada’s Parliament: the House of Commons, the Senate, and the Governor General.
The House of Commons discusses national issues, debates and votes on laws, and calls on the government to explain its actions. In the House of Commons, there are 338 Members of Parliament (MPs) that each represent their own district. These districts are known as ridings. When Canadians vote in a federal election, they are electing MPs.
The Senate reviews, edits and rejects or accepts the bills that the House of Commons proposes. In order for these bills to become law, the Senate must approve them. The Senate can propose bills, but only those that do not spend public money or impose taxes. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
The Governor General is the reigning monarch’s representative in Canada, appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Governor General holds certain powers that help them protect Canada’s democracy, like ensuring that Canada always has a prime minister.
How the election process works
Business ends in the Parliament
To prepare for an election, all business temporarily ends in Parliament until the election is finished. The length of the federal election period can vary, but the minimum length is 36 days and the maximum length is 50 days.
Candidates are nominated
A candidate is a person who tries to get elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) to represent their riding. The majority of candidates belong to a political party. Political parties are organized groups that share similar goals, views, and ideas about governance. For example, the political parties with representatives elected to the federal parliament in 2021 are the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party (NDP), the Bloc Québécois, and the Green Party of Canada.
During this stage of an election, political parties will nominate candidates to run in the federal election and represent their respective parties in each riding. These candidates have a chance to become MPs of their ridings if they win in the election.
A candidate can run in an election alone and choose to not be affiliated with a political party. They are known as independent candidates.
Candidates campaign, asking Canadians to elect them
Democratic elections such as the ones in Canada need electors to make educated and informed decisions on who they want to represent them in the federal government. Electors are Canadian citizens that are eligible to vote in federal elections.
To generate support and encourage people to vote for them, candidates participate in campaigning by promoting their platforms. Platforms are a set of goals, ideas, and principles that the candidate and party follow.
It is the candidates’ responsibility to demonstrate why Canadians in their ridings should vote for them. Candidates, parties, and their staff often go door-to-door to meet with electors, participate in debates with opposing candidates, and promote their platform with signs, posters, public appearances, and more.
Learning about the candidates’ platforms provides electors with the opportunity to make an informed decision about which candidate or party best aligns with their priorities and beliefs.
Electors prepare to vote in the election
You can vote in the election if you are a Canadian Citizen and are at least 18 years old on election day. Before you vote in a federal election, you must be registered to vote and be able to provide proof of your identity and address. You can register to vote at any time.
- Learn how you can prove your identity and address
- Learn about how to register to vote and check voter registration status
There are accessibility tools and services available at polling stations that can help you vote. Certain accessibility features may not be available at a specific polling station, so it’s best to check ahead to see if the location is suitable for your needs. If it’s missing something you need, you may want to vote by mail or at an Elections Canada office instead.
Electors cast their votes
On election day, you can vote for the candidate that best suits their beliefs, values, and goals.
When you vote, you are voting for a candidate to become the MP of your riding. You do not vote for the Prime Minister of Canada directly. However, when you vote for a candidate that is part of a political party, you show support for the leader of that party. The leader of the party that gets the most MPs elected will become the prime minister.
Voting is done confidentially. You have a right to choose who you vote for, free from anyone’s opinion or influence. You can bring a caregiver or support person with you.
There are several ways to vote; on election days, on advance polling days, at an Elections Canada office, and by mail.
Votes are counted & results are announced
Once the polls close, all votes across Canada are counted.
Canada uses First Past the Post as its electoral system (which you can learn more about at this link). This means that the candidate who gets the most votes in their riding becomes its MP and will represent their constituents in the House of Commons.
The political party that has the most MPs in the House of Commons usually forms the government. The leader of this party typically becomes the Prime Minister.
The party whose candidates win the second largest number of seats becomes the Official Opposition. The Official Opposition criticizes, holds the government accountable, and suggests improvements.
Business resumes in Parliament
Now that the government is elected, business in the Parliament can be started again. The prime minister and their party will serve as the Government of Canada until the next election.
